Vanek 300 N359VE

Summary

On 14 June 1990 at about 16:30 local time, a Vanek 300 registered N359VE was involved in an accident near Vriesland, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 June 1990 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Vriesland, Michigan, United States

Coordinates

42.8099, -86.0094

Aircraft

Vanek 300

Registration

N359VE

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI90DEM04

1 person died.

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF THE ALTITUDE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOW CEILING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING FOR AN UPCOMING AIRSHOW WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S WIFE, HE WAS PRACTICING AT ALTITUDES WHICH WERE LOWER THAN NORMAL DUE TO THE LOW CLOUD LAYER. HE WAS SEEN TO ENTER AND EXIT THE CLOUDS SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT'S WIFE STATED THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING A HALF CUBAN 8 WITH ROLLS DURING THE DESCENT. AT THE END OF THE MANEUVER SHE SAW THE WINGS ROLL LEVEL AND THE AIRPLANE PITCHED UP THEN STARTED ANOTHER ROLL WHEN THE WING TIP CONTACTED THE GROUND.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.