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NTSB Report
October 26, 1985 · Bede Aircraft BD-5B · N548BD
Cape Girardeau, MO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 26, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Cape Girardeau, MO
Aircraft
Bede Aircraft BD-5B
Tail Number
N548BD
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC86FCA01
THE OWNER/BUILDER HAD HIRED THE PLT TO TEST FLY THE ACFT ON ITS INITIAL FLT. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT TRANSMITTED THAT HE HAD AN ENG PROBLEM. HE WAS CLEARED FOR AN IMMEDIATE LANDING & ENTERED A DOWNWIND FOR RWY 28. AS HE CONTINUED & WAS TURNING FROM A BASE TO FINAL APCH, THE ACFT ENTERED A SPIN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE ACFT IMPACTED ON THE EDGE OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHILE IN A STEEP NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #1 CYCLINDER SPARK PLUG WIRE WAS COMPLETELY DETACHED; THE #2 CYLINDER WIRE WAS DETACHED FROM THE SPARK PLUG (ALTHO ITS DUST BOOT WAS STILL CONNECTED); & THE #4 SPARK PLUG WIRE DUST BOOT SHOWED EVIDENCE OF HAVING COME IN CONTACT WITH AN ADJACENT EXHAUST STACK & WAS BURNED UNTIL THERE WAS SEPARATION AT THE BOOT'S MIDPOINT.
Full Narrative
THE OWNER/BUILDER HAD HIRED THE PLT TO TEST FLY THE ACFT ON ITS INITIAL FLT. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT TRANSMITTED THAT HE HAD AN ENG PROBLEM. HE WAS CLEARED FOR AN IMMEDIATE LANDING & ENTERED A DOWNWIND FOR RWY 28. AS HE CONTINUED & WAS TURNING FROM A BASE TO FINAL APCH, THE ACFT ENTERED A SPIN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE ACFT IMPACTED ON THE EDGE OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHILE IN A STEEP NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #1 CYCLINDER SPARK PLUG WIRE WAS COMPLETELY DETACHED; THE #2 CYLINDER WIRE WAS DETACHED FROM THE SPARK PLUG (ALTHO ITS DUST BOOT WAS STILL CONNECTED); & THE #4 SPARK PLUG WIRE DUST BOOT SHOWED EVIDENCE OF HAVING COME IN CONTACT WITH AN ADJACENT EXHAUST STACK & WAS BURNED UNTIL THERE WAS SEPARATION AT THE BOOT'S MIDPOINT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:13 CDT
Nearest AirportCape Girardeau Muni (5nm E)
Runway28
Runway Length6499 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBede Aircraft BD-5B
Tail NumberN548BD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHonda · E2B · Reciprocating · 90
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 4 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:15
Weather SourceWFAC