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April 4, 1992 · Bede Aircraft BD-5 · N3DW
Compton, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 4, 1992
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Compton, CA
Aircraft
Bede Aircraft BD-5
Tail Number
N3DW
Operator
Robert & Christopher Anderson
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX92LA167
THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB. WITNESSES REPORTED 'SEEING THE AIRCRAFT FALL STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE GROUND.' FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE AND COULD FIND NO PRE-EXISTING DEFICIENCIES WHICH WOULD ACCOUNT FOR THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. EXAMINATION OF THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK ENTRIES SHOWED NO ENTRIES FOR A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK, HE LAST LOGGED A FLIGHT ON MARCH 26, 1990. FRIENDS OF THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD PERIODICALLY FLOWN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE SINCE HE PURCHASED IT IN MARCH 1992. A WITNESS ALSO REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HAD NOT ATTEMPTED POWER OFF STALLS IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE. A DILIGENT SEARCH WAS CONDUCTED BY THE FAA TO DETERMINE IF THE PILOT HAD A CURRENT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. THE DILIGENT SEARCH CONCLUDED THAT A CURRENT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS NOT ON FILE WITH THE FAA.
NTSB Probable Cause
1) A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, 2) THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, AND 3) THE INADVERTENT ENTRY INTO A STALL SPIN. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE: 1) THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE, AND 2) THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB. WITNESSES REPORTED 'SEEING THE AIRCRAFT FALL STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE GROUND.' FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE AND COULD FIND NO PRE-EXISTING DEFICIENCIES WHICH WOULD ACCOUNT FOR THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. EXAMINATION OF THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK ENTRIES SHOWED NO ENTRIES FOR A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK, HE LAST LOGGED A FLIGHT ON MARCH 26, 1990. FRIENDS OF THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD PERIODICALLY FLOWN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE SINCE HE PURCHASED IT IN MARCH 1992. A WITNESS ALSO REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HAD NOT ATTEMPTED POWER OFF STALLS IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE. A DILIGENT SEARCH WAS CONDUCTED BY THE FAA TO DETERMINE IF THE PILOT HAD A CURRENT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. THE DILIGENT SEARCH CONCLUDED THAT A CURRENT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS NOT ON FILE WITH THE FAA.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:08 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBede Aircraft BD-5
Tail NumberN3DW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRobert & Christopher Anderson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHonda · CIVIC EB2 · Reciprocating · 95
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT