# NTSB ANC93LA159: Morgan Steen Skybolt MI-2, N23JM, Nome, AK, August 29, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1993, 20:15 local (Aug 29, 1993, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Nome, AK
- Coordinates: 64.709274, -164.620422 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7093&lon=-164.6204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2415/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA159

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DELAYED IN RECOVERING FROM THE AEROBATIC MANEUVER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - intentional, pilot in command
  - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING AERIAL MANEUVERES FOR A CROWD OF PEOPLE INVOLVED IN A COOKOUT. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PILOT HAD DONE SEVERAL AEROBATIC MANEUVERS WHICH ENDED WITH AN UNDETERMINED NUMBER OF 360 DEGREE SPINS. THE AIRPLANE HAD STOPPED SPINNING, LEVELED ITS WINGS, AND RAISED ITS NOSE TO A RELATIVELY LEVEL ATTITUDE, BUT WAS STILL DESCENDING WHEN IT HIT THE GROUND. THE PILOT DIED OF ACCIDENT RELATED INJURIES 11 DAYS FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On August 28, 1993, at 2020 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped homebuilt Morgan Steen Skybolt MI-2 airplane, N23JM, crashed while performing aerobatics 22 miles east of Nome, Alaska.  The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, received serious injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The personal local flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Nome at approximately 1945.  Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed.

Several witnesses reported seeing the airplane execute a three turn spin, then level the wings just before it impacted the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23JM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23JM-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N M100, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MORGAN STEEN SKYBOLT MI-2 (STEEN SKYB)
- Registry model: [Morgan STEEN SKYBOLT MI-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/morgan-steen-skybolt-mi-2) (registry code 0565594) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: M100
- Airframe hours: 399
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-8285 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mcculloch, Chris P.
- Registered owner: Mcculloch, Chris P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 1992, 121 hours before
- Departed: OME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 8,251 total, 250 in this make and model, 7,423 as pilot in command, 629 in the last 90 days, 188 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OME, 22 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930828031489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930828031489A), Aug 28, 1993: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Nome, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. During acrobatic imprompu airshow failed to timley recover from prolonged spin. Shoulder harness position wrong.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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