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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

April 5, 1991 · Paulbicke BEDE 5B · N334DF

Park Rapids, MN

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Park Rapids, MN
Aircraft
Paulbicke BEDE 5B
Tail Number
N334DF
Operator
Ronald Paulbicke
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI91DER02

THE PILOT WAS OBSERVED FLYING HIS MODIFIED HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE OVER THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER A 20 MINUTE LOCAL FLIGHT. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 3,500 FEET WHEN IT ENTERED A SPIRAL/SPIN AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ACCIDENT FOR SEVERAL DAYS, AND THE WRECKAGE HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE. AIRCRAFT RECORDS AND PILOT LOGBOOKS WERE NOT LOCATED. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE WAS CONDUCTED IN THE HANGAR WHERE IT WAS STORED, AND REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION/DIFFICULTY.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND SUBSEQUENT SPIN.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS OBSERVED FLYING HIS MODIFIED HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE OVER THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER A 20 MINUTE LOCAL FLIGHT. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 3,500 FEET WHEN IT ENTERED A SPIRAL/SPIN AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ACCIDENT FOR SEVERAL DAYS, AND THE WRECKAGE HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE. AIRCRAFT RECORDS AND PILOT LOGBOOKS WERE NOT LOCATED. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE WAS CONDUCTED IN THE HANGAR WHERE IT WAS STORED, AND REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION/DIFFICULTY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:42 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPaulbicke BEDE 5B
Tail NumberN334DF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRonald Paulbicke
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHonda · D15B2 · Reciprocating
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 4 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

External Links

Appendix: Source Data