# NTSB SEA86FVW01: Griffin, Thomas Modified KR-Z, N999TG, Panaca, NV, November 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1985, 15:12 local (23:12 UTC)
- Place: Panaca, NV
- Coordinates: 37.680526, -114.290855 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6805&lon=-114.2909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40307
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FVW01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40307/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FVW01

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - in-flight planning/decision - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT CLIMB STRAIGHT AHEAD AND MAKE A SHALLOW LEFT 90 DEGREE TURN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO RESUME LEVEL FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SLOWLY WEN INTO A BANK AND FELL OFF INTO A DIVE STRIKING THE GROUND. THIS WAS THE FIRST TEST FLIGHT FOR THIS AIRCRAFT. NO FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND IN THE AIRFRAME, POWER PLANT OR FLIGHT CONTROLS. NO STALL WARNING SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED ON THIS AIRCRAFT. ON AUTOPSY THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS OPINION WAS THAT THE PILOTS DEATH WAS CAUSED BY MULTIPLE EXTREME TRAUMATIC INJURIES. THE PILOT HAD HAD A CORONARY BYPASS OPERATION. THE PILOT PROBABLY ENTERED INTO A STALL DURING THE TURN TO DOWNWIND WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AVAILABLE FOR RECOVERY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N999TG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N999TG-1988-07-13), registration cancelled 1988-07-13, S/N 100 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRIFFIN, THOMAS MODIFIED KR-Z (MODIFIED K)
- Registry model: [Griffin Thomas A MODIFIED KR-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/griffin-thomas-a-modified-kr-2) (registry code 05648UG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 100
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Griffin, Thomas A, doing business as Or Griffin, Marian E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 2, 1985
- Departed: 1L1, PACANA, NV
- Destination: 1L1, PANACA, NV
- Airport: 1L1, Panaca, runway 17, 1,620 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 704 total, 1 in this make and model, 704 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 2 knots, gusting 4
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELY

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19851126058669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851126058669A), Nov 26, 1985: Amtr KR2, Panaca, NV, Destroyed. During first test flight, slowly rolled into steep bank. Descended to ground. No mechanical malfunction found.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.