# NTSB SEA94LA142: 1ST FTR GP FOCKE-WULF 190, N25074, Salt Lake City, UT, June 8, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 8, 1994, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Salt Lake City, UT - Coordinates: 40.810245, -111.939048 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8102&lon=-111.9390&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41945 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41945/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA142 ## Probable cause IMPROPER BALANCING OF THE AILERONS RESULTING IN AILERON FLUTTER. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - flight control,aileron - flutter (contributing factor) - maintenance,balancing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - wing - separation ## Analysis AT THE START OF AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER, THE WINGS WERE OBSERVED FLUTTERING JUST PRIOR TO THE SEPARATION OF THE RIGHT WING. DURING THE POST CRASH INSPECTION, EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE AILERON FLUTTER. THE AILERONS WERE ALSO FOUND TO BE OUT OF BALANCE. ## Factual narrative On June 8, 1994, at 0930 mountain daylight time, a WAR Focke-Wulf 190, N25074, experienced an in flight break-up, three miles southwest of the Salt Lake City, Utah, Number 2 airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. The flight had originated from Salt Lake City for the local flight. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Salt Lake City Flight Standards District Office reported that he was present at the scene to observe the pilot for an aerobatic check out. The inspector stated that the airplane was in a shallow descent and increasing airspeed from 120 mph to approximately 150 mph, at 300 feet above ground level, when both wings began to flutter. The inspector stated that both wings appeared to flutter approximately one to two feet up and down for two to three seconds when the right wing separated at mid span. The airplane continued to descend in a steeper descent angle to ground impact. The owner of the airplane reported that the pilot had removed the ailerons and had them painted sometime in the fall of 1993. The pilot then re-installed and balanced the ailerons. During the wreckage inspection, evidence was found to indicate that the ailerons had experienced flutter and were substantially out of balance. The wreckage distribution path measured approximately 1,320 feet and was located in an open field. At 310 feet and 500 feet, sections of the right wing were found. At 1,037 feet, a 25 foot long ground disturbance was noted. At 1,093 feet, parts of the left wing were noted, along with sections of the fuselage and fuel tanks that extended to 1,148 feet, where the right side elevator and sections of the left wing were found. At 1,173 feet, sections of the wing main spar were found. At 1,253 feet, the engine and propeller were found, along with sections of the empennage. Maureen J. Frikke, M.D. of the Office of the Medical Examiner, Salt Lake City, Utah, reported that the cause of death to the pilot was from blunt force injuries of the head, torso, and extremities. Toxicological samples taken at the time were analyzed, and the result of that analysis was negative. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25074](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25074-1996-10-07), registration cancelled 1996-10-07, S/N 75 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: 1ST FTR GP FOCKE-WULF 190 (FOCKE-WULF) - Registry model: [First Fighter GRP Flying Club W.A.R. FW 190](https://openairdocs.org/model/first-fighter-grp-flying-club-w-a-r-fw-190) (registry code 0566405) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 75 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Peterson, Jeffrey G. - Registered owner: Clark, Keith J. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1993 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 700 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 4 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SLC, 19 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 19940608014369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940608014369A), Jun 8, 1994: Amtr FW190, Salt Lake City, UT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. During aerobatic FAA observed check out wings fluttered and failed in a dive. Ailerons were out of balance. 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.