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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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August 26, 1989 · Feil BD-5 · N9BD

Pontiac, MI

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Pontiac, MI
Aircraft
Feil BD-5
Tail Number
N9BD
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI89DEC06

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT DEPART ON RUNWAY 09R AT A HIGH PITCH ATTITUDE. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A LEFT ROLL TO A NEAR INVERTED POSITION AND DESCENDED TO TERRAIN IMPACT APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE EAST OF THE AIRPORT. INSPECTION REVEALED NO MALFUNCTION/FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS FLIGHT WAS THE SECOND FLIGHT FOR THE PILOT IN THIS AIRCRAFT SINCE 1987. THE PILOT REPORTEDLY STATED TO A WITNESS THAT HE WANTED TO FLY TO GET USED TO THE FEEL OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS OF THE AIRCRAFT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE EXCESSIVE PULL-UP MANEUVER AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT DEPART ON RUNWAY 09R AT A HIGH PITCH ATTITUDE. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A LEFT ROLL TO A NEAR INVERTED POSITION AND DESCENDED TO TERRAIN IMPACT APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE EAST OF THE AIRPORT. INSPECTION REVEALED NO MALFUNCTION/FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS FLIGHT WAS THE SECOND FLIGHT FOR THE PILOT IN THIS AIRCRAFT SINCE 1987. THE PILOT REPORTEDLY STATED TO A WITNESS THAT HE WANTED TO FLY TO GET USED TO THE FEEL OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS OF THE AIRCRAFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:50 EDT
Nearest AirportOakland-Pontiac (0nm N)
Runway9R
Runway Length6200 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFeil BD-5
Tail NumberN9BD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHonda · EB 3-0200162 · Reciprocating
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 6 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:56
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data