Amateur-built HCV-110 accident near Newcastle, Wyoming, July 4, 1989
On July 4, 1989 at about 1:15 pm local time, a amateur-built HCV-110, registered N4831N, was substantially damaged in an accident near Newcastle, Wyoming. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FAILURE TO THE MAGNETO. THE SELECTION OF A POWERPLANT WITH A SINGLE MAGNETO SYSTEM WAS AN IMPROPER CHOICE AND DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE CAUSE. THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE WIND FOR THE APPROACH TO A FORCED LANDING RESULTED IN AN IMPROPER GROUND CONTACT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 1989 · about 1:15 pm local time
- Place
- Newcastle, Wyoming · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built HCV-110
- Registration
- N4831N · no longer on the register · serial 1000
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT HAD BEEN AIRBORNE FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING AND PICKED AN OPEN AREA. STRONG SURFACE WINDS RESULTED IN AN UNDERSHOOT OF THE SELECTED AREA AND WHEN HE TRIED TO STRETCH THE GLIDE THE ACFT STALLED AND LANDED HARD. THE PLT SAID THE ENG IS FROM A GROUND POWER UNIT AND HAS ONLY ONE MAGNETO. HE SAID THE MAGNETO COIL FAILED.
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: 484 hours in all; 87 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 87 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, July 3, 1988; 26 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,160 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental GPV (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ECS Newcastle WY at 12:15 pm
- Destination: ECS
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 135° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.