# NTSB SEA87LA174: Lutz Flying Dutchman, N38Z, Twin Falls, ID, August 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1987, 13:19 local (19:19 UTC)
- Place: Twin Falls, ID
- Coordinates: 42.409221, -114.590469 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4092&lon=-114.5905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 17, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40684
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40684/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA174

## 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 - base leg/base to final
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - comm/nav equipment,transceiver - inoperative
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO CHECK THE ACFT AFTER REPLACING A WOODEN PROP WITH AN ALL METAL PROP & TO PREPARE FOR ENTRY IN THE RENO AIR RACES. BFR ENTERING THE AIR RACES. THE PLT NEEDED TO DEMONSTRATE HIS ABILITY TO MAKE A 'BARREL ROLL' & TO MAKE 3 LNDGS. THERE WAS NO OPERABLE RADIO IN THE ACFT, SO THE PLT USED A HAND HELD VHF TRANSCEIVER. AFTER HE TOOK OFF, RADIO COMM WITH THE ACFT WAS LOST, SO TWR PSNL USED VISUAL LGT SIGNALS FOR CONTROL. THE PLT MADE 2 TOUCH-&-GO LNDGS & HAD BGN A DSCNDG TURN TO FINAL APCH (3RD PATTERN), WHEN THE ACFT ROLLED INVERTED & PLUNGED TO THE GND. ONE WITNESS THOUGHT THE ACFT SNAP ROLLED. ANOTHER SAID IT WAS SWAYING FM SIDE TO SIDE AS IT PLUNGED TO THE GND. IT CRASHED IN A NOSE DWN ATTITUDE & THERE WAS LITTLE MOVEMENT AFTER IMPACT. NO PREIMPACT PART PROBLEM WAS FND. THE PLT'S BLOOD WAS CHECKED AT 2 LABS. ONE CHECK SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.238%; THE OTHER SHOWED A LVL OF 0.200%. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S URINE SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.207%. THE ARPT ELEV WAS 4151 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38Z), registered now, S/N LFD-13-4 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LUTZ FLYING DUTCHMAN (FLYING DUT)
- Registry model: [Lutz FLYING DUTCHMAN](https://openairdocs.org/model/lutz-flying-dutchman) (registry code 0562898) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: LFD-13-4
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-8F 95 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas D. Aslett
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1987
- Departed: TWF
- Airport: TWF, Joslin Field, runway 25, 8,703 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,571 total, 62 in this make and model, 2,459 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TWF, 1 nm away

## 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 19870823047109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870823047109A), Aug 23, 1987: Twin Falls, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Collided with terrain while maneuvering on final approach. Did a snap roll and plunged to the ground. Alcohol factor

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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