Stephens VP2 N31349

Summary

On 11 July 1993 at about 01:30 local time, a Stephens VP2 registered N31349, operated by Thomas D. Dunham, was involved in an accident near Lodi, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 July 1993 at 01:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Lodi, California, United States

Nearest airport

Kingdon Airpark (O20)

Coordinates

38.1099, -121.1607

Aircraft

Stephens VP2

Registration

N31349

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Thomas D. Dunham

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX93LA286

Nobody was injured.

the grounding of the magneto coil to the magneto case due to a crack in the coil sheath.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the takeoff initial climb the engine RPM's dropped from 3,150 to about 2,600. The power level produced by the engine was insufficient to maintain altitude and the pilot landed in a corn field about one-half mile from the airport. The aircraft sustained damage during the on ground collision with corn plants and soft, plowed dirt. The Volkswagen 1800cc engine and related subsystems were taken to an FAA certified repair station for a detailed examination. The repair station noted that the engine had been modified with the installation of a single Slick model 4216 magneto for the ignition system. The magneto was removed from the engine and disassembled. A crack was observed in the coil at a location close to the magneto case. Black ash deposits were noted on both the coil and the magneto housing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.