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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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April 24, 1988 · Lamb Shoestring S-102 Shoestring · N47CL

Gaithersburg, MD

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 24, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Gaithersburg, MD
Aircraft
Lamb Shoestring S-102 Shoestring
Tail Number
N47CL
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO88DIG02

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT MADE SEVERAL TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS PRIOR TO DEPARTING THE AIRPORT AREA. THE ACFT WAS NEXT SEEN AT AN ALT OF APRX 300 FT AGL OVER A LAND-FILL APRX 2 MILES FROM THE ARPT. THE ACFT ENTERED A 360 DEG TURN WITH 60 DEGS BANK. THE PLT THEN MADE A BARREL ROLL FOLLOWED BY A LEFT WING OVER. THE WITNESS STATED HE SAW THE WING FLUTTER AND THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE TREES AND TERRAIN.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT INPROPERLY PERFORMING AEROBATICS WITHOUT SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO COMPLETE A RECOVERY.

Full Narrative

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT MADE SEVERAL TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS PRIOR TO DEPARTING THE AIRPORT AREA. THE ACFT WAS NEXT SEEN AT AN ALT OF APRX 300 FT AGL OVER A LAND-FILL APRX 2 MILES FROM THE ARPT. THE ACFT ENTERED A 360 DEG TURN WITH 60 DEGS BANK. THE PLT THEN MADE A BARREL ROLL FOLLOWED BY A LEFT WING OVER. THE WITNESS STATED HE SAW THE WING FLUTTER AND THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE TREES AND TERRAIN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLamb Shoestring S-102 Shoestring
Tail NumberN47CL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating · 110
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 16 kt, gusting 24 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data