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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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May 4, 1985 · Earnst Skybolt · N10DE

Paso Robles, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 4, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Paso Robles, CA
Aircraft
Earnst Skybolt
Tail Number
N10DE
Operator
Dennis Earnst
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85FA239

A CESSNA 150 AND A HOME BUILT SKYBOLT ACFT COLLIDED WHILE ON A DOWNWIND LEG OF A TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND. THE SKYBOLT WAS A COMPETITOR IN A LOCAL AEROBATIC COMPETITION EAST OF THE ARPT. THE C-150 WAS RETURNING FROM A STUDENT PLT TRAINING X-COUNTRY FLT. BOTH ACFT HAD RADIOS AND HAD ANNOUNCED THEIR POSITIONS IN TRAFFIC. BOTH WERE FLYING STRAIGHT & LEVEL AT APRX 1800 FT AGL WITH THE SKYBOLT SLIGHTLY HIGHER. THE ACFT CONVERGED SLOWLY AT ABOUT THE SAME AIRSPEED. AN OFFICIAL OF THE COMPETITION WARNED THE ACFT OF THEIR PROXIMITY. THE CESSNA PLT BOTH SAW & FELT HIS PROP CONTACT THE TAIL SECTION OF THE OTHER ACFT AS IT CAME FROM BEHIND AND ABOVE HIM. THE SKYBOLT PLT FELT THE IMPACT AND THEN SAW THE CESSNA BELOW HIM. BOTH ACFT WERE ABLE TO LAND BUT THE SKYBOLT GROUNDLOOPED AFTER LANDING DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE LANDING GEAR. THE COMPETITION CONTESTANTS AND NORMAL TRAFFIC WERE INTERMIXED IN TRAFFIC WITH NO ATTEMPT AT SEGREGATION BY DESIGNATION OF DEDICATED AREAS FOR EACH.

Full Narrative

A CESSNA 150 AND A HOME BUILT SKYBOLT ACFT COLLIDED WHILE ON A DOWNWIND LEG OF A TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND. THE SKYBOLT WAS A COMPETITOR IN A LOCAL AEROBATIC COMPETITION EAST OF THE ARPT. THE C-150 WAS RETURNING FROM A STUDENT PLT TRAINING X-COUNTRY FLT. BOTH ACFT HAD RADIOS AND HAD ANNOUNCED THEIR POSITIONS IN TRAFFIC. BOTH WERE FLYING STRAIGHT & LEVEL AT APRX 1800 FT AGL WITH THE SKYBOLT SLIGHTLY HIGHER. THE ACFT CONVERGED SLOWLY AT ABOUT THE SAME AIRSPEED. AN OFFICIAL OF THE COMPETITION WARNED THE ACFT OF THEIR PROXIMITY. THE CESSNA PLT BOTH SAW & FELT HIS PROP CONTACT THE TAIL SECTION OF THE OTHER ACFT AS IT CAME FROM BEHIND AND ABOVE HIM. THE SKYBOLT PLT FELT THE IMPACT AND THEN SAW THE CESSNA BELOW HIM. BOTH ACFT WERE ABLE TO LAND BUT THE SKYBOLT GROUNDLOOPED AFTER LANDING DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE LANDING GEAR. THE COMPETITION CONTESTANTS AND NORMAL TRAFFIC WERE INTERMIXED IN TRAFFIC WITH NO ATTEMPT AT SEGREGATION BY DESIGNATION OF DEDICATED AREAS FOR EACH.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:21 PDT
Nearest AirportPaso Rubles Muni (0nm N)
Runway19
Runway Length6009 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEarnst Skybolt
Tail NumberN10DE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDennis Earnst
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 0360 · Reciprocating · 180 | Continental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class
Crew 2Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 7 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data