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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

March 17, 1989 · Halstead Sandpiper · N339RH

Chesapeake, VA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 17, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Chesapeake, VA
Aircraft
Halstead Sandpiper
Tail Number
N339RH
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO89DID01

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON THE MAIDEN TEST FLIGHT OF THE RECENTLY CERTIFICATED HOMEBUILT ACFT. THE PLT/BUILDER REPORTED NO PROBLEMS DURING HIGH SPEED TAXI RUNS. AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS AT SLOW SPEEDS WHICH DECREASED AS AIRSPEED INCREASED. DURING LANDING, THE ACFT STALLED HIGH AND BOUNCED TWICE ON THE RWY. THE PLT INITIATED A GO-AROUND AND DURING CLIMB OUT WAS UNABLE TO DECREASE PITCH TO GAIN AIRSPEED. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES NEAR THE RWY. THE PLT DESIGNED AND BUILT THE ACFT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DAVIS MIXING UNIT WHICH CONTROLS PITCH AND RUDDER INPUT TO THE RUDDERVADOR. THE DESIGN PLANS CALLED FOR 9 DEGS PITCH UP TRAVEL AND 8 DEGS PITCH DOWN TRAVEL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE RUDDERVADOR HAD BEEN INSTALLED WITH 12.5 DEGS NOSE UP TRAVEL AND 4.5 DEGS NOSE DOWN TRAVEL, THUS LIMITING THE PLTS ABILITY TO LOWER THE NOSE DURING CLIMB.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT/BUILDERS IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE RUDDERVADOR AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE FAILURE OF THE FAA TO DETECT THE FLAW DURING THE CERTIFICATION OF THE AIRCRAFT.

Full Narrative

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON THE MAIDEN TEST FLIGHT OF THE RECENTLY CERTIFICATED HOMEBUILT ACFT. THE PLT/BUILDER REPORTED NO PROBLEMS DURING HIGH SPEED TAXI RUNS. AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS AT SLOW SPEEDS WHICH DECREASED AS AIRSPEED INCREASED. DURING LANDING, THE ACFT STALLED HIGH AND BOUNCED TWICE ON THE RWY. THE PLT INITIATED A GO-AROUND AND DURING CLIMB OUT WAS UNABLE TO DECREASE PITCH TO GAIN AIRSPEED. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES NEAR THE RWY. THE PLT DESIGNED AND BUILT THE ACFT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DAVIS MIXING UNIT WHICH CONTROLS PITCH AND RUDDER INPUT TO THE RUDDERVADOR. THE DESIGN PLANS CALLED FOR 9 DEGS PITCH UP TRAVEL AND 8 DEGS PITCH DOWN TRAVEL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE RUDDERVADOR HAD BEEN INSTALLED WITH 12.5 DEGS NOSE UP TRAVEL AND 4.5 DEGS NOSE DOWN TRAVEL, THUS LIMITING THE PLTS ABILITY TO LOWER THE NOSE DURING CLIMB.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:02 EST
Nearest AirportHampton Roads (0nm N)
Runway10
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHalstead Sandpiper
Tail NumberN339RH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-75-12 · Reciprocating · 75
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 15 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data