Accident Fokker DR.I replica N72517, Friday 23 February 1990

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Date:	Friday 23 February 1990
Time:	17:15 LT
Type:	Fokker DR.I replica
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N72517
MSN:	H-1
Year of manufacture:	1980
Engine model:	WARNER SCARAB
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Kalispell, MT - United States of America
Phase:	Approach
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	(KFCA)
Destination airport:	(KFCA)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT SAID HE WAS MAKING HIS FIRST FLIGHT IN THIS AMATEUR BUILT FOKKER TRI-PLANE REPLICA. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING WHEN IT BEGAN A RIGHT TURN. AFTER TURNING ABOUT 180 DEGREES THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A SPIN AND CRASHED. THE PILOT SAID ONE OR TWO OF THE WINGS STALLED. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE & REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT OBSERVE ANY PHYSICAL EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE ACCIDENT.

Probable Cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THIS AIRCRAFT WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Accident investigation: