Amateur-built Q-2 accident near Grand Junction, Colorado, September 16, 1986
On September 16, 1986 at about 5:57 pm local time, a amateur-built Q-2, registered N39204, was substantially damaged in an accident near Grand Junction, Colorado (Walker Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 16, 1986 · about 5:57 pm local time
- Place
- Grand Junction, Colorado · Walker Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Q-2
- Registration
- N39204 · no longer on the register · serial 2698
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT ENTERED A PORPOISE DURING LANDING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADD POWER THE ENG QUIT. THE LANDING GEAR THEN BROKE OFF AND THE ACFT ENTERED A GROUND LOOP AND RAN OFF THE RWY. THE PLT NOTES THAT THE ACFT HAS A TENDENCY TO BOUNCE DURING LANDING DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR WHICH ATTACHES AT THE ENDS OF THE CANARD. HE ALSO NOTES THAT THE THROTTLE AND MIXTURE MUST BE ADVANCED TOGETHER TO INCREASE POWER.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 240 hours in all; 12 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 200 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 29, 1986; 12 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Revmaster 2100-DT (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GJT Grand Junction CO at 4:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 11, 10,501 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 5:00 pm from GJT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.