# NTSB SEA90LA130: Larsen Charles Bennett Phoenix Vendetta LS, N44PV, Boulder City, NV, July 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1990, 19:55 local (Jul 12, 1990, 02:55 UTC)
- Place: Boulder City, NV
- Coordinates: 35.989273, -114.810668 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9893&lon=-114.8107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41235/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA130

## Probable cause

PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE IN THE PATTERN FOR LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE ENTERING SPIN.

## 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
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE EXPERIMENTAL HOME BUILT AIRPLANE WAS ON A DOWNWIND FOR ONE RUNWAY, WHEN THE AIRPLANE SUDDENLY MADE A SHARP RIGHT TURN. THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE PITCHED UP THEN DOWN ALMOST VERTICAL TO THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE SPIRALED TO THE GROUND. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44PV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44PV), registered now, S/N 0051PV, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LARSEN CHARLES BENNETT PHOENIX VENDETTA LS (PHOENIX VE)
- Registry model: [Larsen Charles Bennett PHOENIX VENDETTA LS](https://openairdocs.org/model/larsen-charles-bennett-phoenix-vendetta-ls) (registry code 05616XD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Hirth F30](https://openairdocs.org/engine/hirth-f30) (registry code 33730, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0051PV
- Airframe hours: 33
- Engines: HIRTH F30 97 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larsen Charles Bennett
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: CDC, CEDAR CITY, UT
- Airport: BLD, Boulder City, runway 15, 3,850 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 602 total, 30 in this make and model, 574 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 16 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 19900711025109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900711025109A), Jul 11, 1990: Amtr PHENIX, Boulder City, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Banked too steeply turning to final got into accelerated stall and spin. Impacted vertically.

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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