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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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NTSB Report

August 26, 1998 · Dornbos BD-4 · N91LJ

Kent, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Kent, WA
Aircraft
Dornbos BD-4
Tail Number
N91LJ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA98LA171

The flight instructor reported that he performed a normal wheel-landing. During the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to the left of centerline. The flight instructor indicated to the commercial pilot, who was following on the controls, not to apply brakes. The flight instructor stated that he corrected the direction of travel back to centerline as the tail wheel was lowered. The airplane remained on centerline for several hundred feet, then began to veer to the right. The airplane continued to veer to the right and traveled off the runway at approximately mid-field. The airplane subsequently ground-looped before coming to rest on the grassy area between the runway and taxiway. The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

Directional control was not maintained by the pilot in command.

Full Narrative

On August 25, 1998, approximately 1915 Pacific daylight time, an experimental BD-4, N91LJ, registered to and operated by the second pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, ground-looped during the landing roll on runway 33 at Crest Airpark, Kent, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. Both the flight instructor and commercial pilot were uninjured. The flight originated from Crest Airpark for the local flight. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the flight instructor reported that this flight was the first in a series of ten flights to check out the commercial pilot in the aircraft, and to prepare for his flight review. The flight instructor stated that a normal wheel-landing was made to runway 33 with the second pilot following on the controls. During the roll out, the airplane began to veer to the left. The flight instructor stated that he called out "no brakes" to the commercial pilot with the intention of no brake application until called for, as the right side position does not have brakes available. The flight instructor stated that he corrected the direction or travel back to centerline as the tail wheel was lowered. The airplane remained on the centerline for several hundred feet, then began to veer to the right. The airplane continued to veer to the right and traveled off the runway at approximately mid-field. The airplane subsequently ground-looped before coming to rest on the grassy area between the runway and taxiway. Both pilots reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 PDT
Nearest AirportCrest Airpark (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length3267 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDornbos BD-4
Tail NumberN91LJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-360-A1B · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data