Amateur-built VP2 accident near Lodi, California, July 11, 1993
On July 11, 1993 at about 1:30 am local time, a amateur-built VP2, registered N31349, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lodi, California (Kingdon Airpark airport). 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 grounding of the magneto coil to the magneto case due to a crack in the coil sheath.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 11, 1993 · about 1:30 am local time
- Place
- Lodi, California · Kingdon Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VP2
- Registration
- N31349 · no longer on the register · serial V23268
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 9,000 hours in all; 15 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 8,500 as pilot in command; 2,500 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 250 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 30, 1993; 5 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen 1800CC (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: O20 at 1:29 am
- Destination: O20
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 4,000 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°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.