# NTSB SEA86LA131: Arbaugh Evans Evans VP-1, N3764A, Kelso, WA, May 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1986, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Kelso, WA
- Coordinates: 46.139968, -122.800086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1400&lon=-122.8001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40411
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40411/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA131

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE DUE TO A LOSS OF POWER AT ABOUT 150 AGL DURING INITIAL CLIMB. THE ACFT WAS LANDED ON RAILROAD TRACKS WHERE IT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT. THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3764A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ARBAUGH EVANS EVANS VP-1
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: WCA-1
- Airframe hours: 3
- Engines: Volkswagen 1600 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: William C. Arbaugh
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 5, 1986, 3 hours before
- Departed: KLS, KELSO, WA
- Airport: KLS, Kelso

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 347 total, 3 in this make and model, 458 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19860527072189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860527072189A), May 27, 1986: Amtrev VOLKSPLNEVP1, Kelso, WA, Destroyed. Engine lost power on takeoff. Pilot landed across railroad tracks. Exact cause of engine failure is unknown.

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.

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