# NTSB SEA90FA146: Wheeler Technology FT-210, N210EX, Linch, WY, July 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1990, 08:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Linch, WY
- Coordinates: 43.609134, -106.199424 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6091&lon=-106.1994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41119/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA146

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND/OR CORRECT THE STALL/SPIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THIS PROTOTYPE OF A KIT AIRCRAFT WAS BEING FLOWN EN ROUTE TO THE OSHKOSH AIR SHOW FOR DISPLAY.  A WITNESS SAW THE AIRCRAFT MOMENTS BEFORE IT CRASHED.  ACCORDING TO HIM, THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A SPIN BEFORE IMPACT.  NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT OR ENGINE WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.  THE PILOT WAS REPORTED TO HAVE MADE STATEMENTS ABOUT DOING AEROBATICS DURING THE FLIGHT, BUT THERE WAS ALSO INDICATIONS THAT HE MAY HAVE BEEN MERELY MAKING THE STATEMENTS TO TEASE AN EMPLOYEE, WHO WAS SCHEDULED TO BE ON THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N210EX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N210EX-2015-05-04), registration cancelled 2015-05-04, S/N 001023, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Wheeler Technology, Inc. FT-210
- Registry model: [Wheeler Technology WHEELER EXP FT200](https://openairdocs.org/model/wheeler-technology-wheeler-exp-ft200) (registry code 05616ZC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 001023
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wheeler Technology, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: RIW, RIVERTON, WY
- Destination: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,274 total, 753 in this make and model, 1,190 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CPR, 45 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 19900725028809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900725028809A), Jul 25, 1990: Amtr WHELREXPRS, Linch, WY, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Observed spinning to ground impact. Pilot had stated he was going to perform acrobatic manuevers en route.

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.