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March 4, 2012 · Bowers Fly Baby 1-A · N41017

Fallbrook, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 4, 2012
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Fallbrook, CA
Aircraft
Bowers Fly Baby 1-A
Tail Number
N41017
Operator
Stowe James L
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR12LA122

The airplane veered off the left side of the runway during takeoff and struck an elevated runway light located 600 feet from the end of the runway. The airplane traveled over a shallow grass slope, impacted the hangar door nose first, and embedded itself into the hangar. Both wings separated from the fuselage. The pilot, who was seriously injured, could not recall the events of the accident. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On March 4, 2012, at 0852 Pacific standard time, a Bowers Fly Baby 1-A, N41017, veered off runway 18 and collided with a hangar at Fallbrook Community Airpark, Fallbrook, California. The pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91. The private pilot was seriously injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. No witnesses observed the accident. The airplane was found entangled with the structure of a T-hangar, the nose of the airplane embedded into the hangar, the tail protruding out, left wing broken from the fuselage, and the right wing folded up and over the open cockpit. The pilot was life flighted to a hospital with non life threatening serious injuries. On March 5, a Federal Aviation Administration(FAA)inspector examined the airplane, established control continuity, and found no mechanical anomalies. The inspector also noted that there were no witness marks in the shallow slopped grassy terrain between the edge of the runway and the hanger. About 600 feet from the end of the runway 18, a broken elevated runway edge light was identified. The left wing of the airplane showed evidence of impact damage by a elevated runway edge light. The pilot was interviewed by the FAA inspector, who reported that the pilot could not recall the events of the accident. A witness who arrived on-scene about an hour after the accident stated that at that time there was a modest 8-knot northerly wind. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft/Incident Report Form 6120.1/2.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:52 PST
Nearest AirportFallbrook Community Airpark (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length2160 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBowers Fly Baby 1-A
Tail NumberN41017
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorStowe James L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · A65 SERIES · Reciprocating · 65
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 37 C
Altimeter30.11 inHg
Observation Time15:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data