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NTSB Report
January 17, 1982 · Bede Aircraft BD-5B · N381JH
Mojave, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 17, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Mojave, CA
Aircraft
Bede Aircraft BD-5B
Tail Number
N381JH
Operator
J P Handleson
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX82FUQ08
AFTER TAKEOFF THE AMATEUR BUILT BEDE-5 ENTERED LEFT TRAFFIC AND CIRCLED THE AIRPORT ONCE AT 700 TO 1000 FEET AGL. DURING THE SECOND 180 DEGREE TURN FROM THE DOWNWIND LEG TO THE RUNWAY HEADING A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE BANK ANGLE SUDDENLY INCREASED AND THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT DROPPED RESULTING IN A NEARLY VERTICAL DESCENT TO THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE SHORT OF RUNWAY 07. EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND ATTACHMENTS REVEALED NO SIGNS OF PREIMPACT DISCREPANCIES OR MALFUNCTIONS.
Full Narrative
AFTER TAKEOFF THE AMATEUR BUILT BEDE-5 ENTERED LEFT TRAFFIC AND CIRCLED THE AIRPORT ONCE AT 700 TO 1000 FEET AGL. DURING THE SECOND 180 DEGREE TURN FROM THE DOWNWIND LEG TO THE RUNWAY HEADING A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE BANK ANGLE SUDDENLY INCREASED AND THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT DROPPED RESULTING IN A NEARLY VERTICAL DESCENT TO THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE SHORT OF RUNWAY 07. EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND ATTACHMENTS REVEALED NO SIGNS OF PREIMPACT DISCREPANCIES OR MALFUNCTIONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:16 PST
Nearest AirportMOJANE (0nm N)
Runway7
Runway Length5920 ft
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBede Aircraft BD-5B
Tail NumberN381JH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJ P Handleson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsKawasaki · 1000CC · Reciprocating · 250
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0