Amateur-built AIR CAMPER accident near Saint Ansgar, Iowa, July 29, 1983
On July 29, 1983 at about 5:55 pm local time, a amateur-built AIR CAMPER, registered N12938, was substantially damaged in an accident near Saint Ansgar, Iowa. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. 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
- July 29, 1983 · about 5:55 pm local time
- Place
- Saint Ansgar, Iowa · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AIR CAMPER
- Registration
- N12938 · registry record · serial EMS1
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT CRASHED FOLLOWING TKOF FROM AN ENROUTE STOP DURING A X-COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT'S FRIEND WITNESSED THE TAKEOFF. THE WITNESS SAID THE PLT WAVED AFTER TAKEOFF AND THEN THE ACFT MADE A SHARP LEFT BANK WITH WINGS WAGGLING. THE ACFT ROLLED LEVEL AND ENTERED ANOTHER LEFT TURN OF 180 DEGREES WITH MORE WING WAGGLING AND A ENTRY INTO A SPIN. PARTIAL RECOVERY WAS MADE AFTER ONE TURN PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT. THE PLT STATED THE AILERON CONTROL JAMMED BUT HE SHOOK IT LOOSE AND MADE A NORMAL SPIN RECOVERY BUT HAD INSUFFICIENT ALT AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.
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: 1,118 hours in all; 700 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 1,078 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 330 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 20, 1983
- Maximum gross weight: 900 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-80 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: C37 Brodhead WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 1,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 25,000 ft; scat at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 32.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from MCW, 23 miles away
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.