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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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June 11, 1995 · Berg Steen Skybolt Steen SKYB · N3753B

Bath, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 11, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Bath, NY
Aircraft
Berg Steen Skybolt Steen SKYB
Tail Number
N3753B
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO95LA062

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN UNDETERMINED ALTITUDE, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN ACROBATIC MANEUVER. REVIEW OF A VIDEO TAPE TAKEN OF THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE REVEALED THE AIRPLANE ROLLED LEFT AND ENTERED INTO A SPIN. THE AIRPLANE COMPLETED FOUR SPINS BEFORE RECOVERY WAS INITIATED. THE AIRPLANE STOPPED ROTATING JUST PRIOR TO IMPACTING TREES. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES. THE PILOT'S LOG BOOK WAS NOT RECOVERED. THE PILOT RECEIVED A FAA THIRD CLASS MEDICAL ON AUGUST 24, 1988, AT WHICH TIME HE REPORTED 200 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance to avoid trees while performing aerobatic maneuvers. Related factors are the low altitude at which the maneuver was initiated and the delayed recovery/pull-up.

Full Narrative

On June 11, 1995, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a Berg Steen Skybolt, N3753B, collided with terrain during an acrobatic maneuver after takeoff from the Jolamtra Airport in Bath, New York. The pilot was fatally injured. The homebuilt airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Bath, New York, approximately 1255. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector, at the time of the accident, there was a model airshow taking place. Witnesses reported that the pilot landed the airplane, signed autographs, and talked with spectators. The witnesses stated that the pilot did a preflight prior to departure. Review of a video tape taken by a spectator revealed that shortly after takeoff the airplane did a vertical aileron roll and climbed to an unknown altitude. The airplane then rolled left and entered into a spin. The airplane completed four spins before recovery was initiated. Rotation was stopped just prior to the airplane impacting trees. View of the airplane was lost as it entered the trees. No objects were seen departing the airplane during any of the maneuvers. Engine noise was audible until impact. Postaccident examination of the accident site and airplane revealed the airplane impacted trees and descended to the ground. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies. The pilot last received a FAA Third Class Medical Certificate on August 24, 1988. On the application for the certificate, the pilot reported he had accumulated 200 flight hours. The pilot's log book was not recovered.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBerg Steen Skybolt Steen SKYB
Tail NumberN3753B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540 · Reciprocating · 300

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 15 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data