Amateur-built Volksplane VP-2 accident near Collins, New York, July 4, 2002
On July 4, 2002 at about 12:00 pm local time, a amateur-built Volksplane VP-2, registered N21267, was substantially damaged in an accident near Collins, New York. 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 separation of an ignition lead to the distributor cap, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Factors in the accident were trees and power lines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 2002 · about 12:00 pm local time
- Place
- Collins, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Volksplane VP-2
- Registration
- N21267 · no longer on the register · serial 1234
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident flight was the first flight after the pilot had purchased the airplane. Prior to the flight, the airplane had been inspected by a certified airframe and powerplants mechanic, and onboard it had an estimated 7 to 8 gallons of fuel. About 45 minutes into the flight, while the engine was running at full throttle, it stopped producing power. The airplane was about 3 nautical miles from the airport, and the pilot realized he could not make it back. About 400 feet above the ground the pilot spotted a landing area. With the engine off and the propeller "windmilling", the pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid trees and power lines. The airplane initially impacted a road, then came to rest in a field. Examination of the Volkswagen engine revealed that one of the coil leads connected to the distributor cap was loose and burnt.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,311 hours in all; 3 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 17, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 100 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 8, 2001; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,040 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen Type 3 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 35NY Springville Air NY at 1:00 pm
- Destination: NY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 500 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 12:54 pm from BUF, 25 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.