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NTSB Report
July 10, 1983 · Bede Aircraft BD-5B · N83SK
Westfield, MA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 10, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Westfield, MA
Aircraft
Bede Aircraft BD-5B
Tail Number
N83SK
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC83FNE04
THE ACFT CRASHED SHORT OF THE RWY DURING AN ATTEMPTED LANDING. THERE WERE SOME CONFUSING AND GARBLED TRANSMISSIONS AND SOME MISTAKEN INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE TOWER DURING THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY THE ACCIDENT PLT. THIS PLT DID NOT MAKE IT CLEAR THAT HE HAD AN EMERGENCY BUT HE DID ASK FOR IMMEDIATE LANDING DUE TO A PROBLEM. HIS ENGINE WAS HEARD OPERATING AT ALTERNATING HIGH AND LOW LEVELS. HIS ACFT HAD A HISTORY OF OVERHEATING AND IT ALSO HAD AN IMPROPER PROPELLER INSTALLED. A NEW PROPELLER WAS ON ORDER. ACCORDING TO GREAT AMERICAN PROPELLER CO, THE PROPELLER INSTALLED ON THE ACFT DID NOT HAVEENOUGH BLADE AREA FOR THE AIRFRAME/ENGINE COMBINATION. THIS COMBINATION COULD CAUSE ENFORCED MODERATE APPLICATION OF THROTTLE AND AT FULL THROTTLE AND LOW AIRSPEEDS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE RPM AND PROBABLE CAVITATION AND LOSS OF THRUST.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CRASHED SHORT OF THE RWY DURING AN ATTEMPTED LANDING. THERE WERE SOME CONFUSING AND GARBLED TRANSMISSIONS AND SOME MISTAKEN INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE TOWER DURING THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY THE ACCIDENT PLT. THIS PLT DID NOT MAKE IT CLEAR THAT HE HAD AN EMERGENCY BUT HE DID ASK FOR IMMEDIATE LANDING DUE TO A PROBLEM. HIS ENGINE WAS HEARD OPERATING AT ALTERNATING HIGH AND LOW LEVELS. HIS ACFT HAD A HISTORY OF OVERHEATING AND IT ALSO HAD AN IMPROPER PROPELLER INSTALLED. A NEW PROPELLER WAS ON ORDER. ACCORDING TO GREAT AMERICAN PROPELLER CO, THE PROPELLER INSTALLED ON THE ACFT DID NOT HAVEENOUGH BLADE AREA FOR THE AIRFRAME/ENGINE COMBINATION. THIS COMBINATION COULD CAUSE ENFORCED MODERATE APPLICATION OF THROTTLE AND AT FULL THROTTLE AND LOW AIRSPEEDS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE RPM AND PROBABLE CAVITATION AND LOSS OF THRUST.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:27 EDT
Nearest AirportBarnes Municipal (0nm N)
Runway33
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBede Aircraft BD-5B
Tail NumberN83SK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHonda · EB · Reciprocating · 96
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 7 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:28
Weather SourceWFAC