# NTSB ATL01LA084: Fleet BI-PLANE, Homestead, FL, July 6, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 2001, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Homestead, FL
- Coordinates: 25.480627, -80.409347 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.4806&lon=-80.4093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA - Miami FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52720
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52720/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA084

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of flight controls during a landing on a sod airstrip that resulted in a nose over.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

According to the pilot, the tail came up during the landing roll, and the airplane nosed over. No mechanical problem with the airplane was reported by the pilot.

## Factual narrative

On July 6, 2001, at 1950 eastern daylight time, a Fleet Model I, NC8627, registered to a private owner, nosed over while landing on a grass strip at the Homestead General Aviation Airport in Homestead, Florida. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Homestead General Aviation Airport, in Homestead, Florida, at 1940.

According to the pilot, during touchdown on the grass strip, the tailwheel-equipped airplane slowed rapidly, down to about 10 miles per hour in 200 feet of ground roll. The pilot stated the tail came up, the propeller struck the ground, and the airplane nosed over and slid 10 feet inverted.

The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane during the attempted landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: NC8627 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Fleet BI-PLANE
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 40
- Airframe hours: 1045
- Engines: Warner Scarab 50 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Bubel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 2001, 15 hours before
- Departed: X51, HOMESTEAD, FL
- Airport: X51, Homestead General Aviation, runway 27U, 1,000 × 500 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 26, 2001; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: MIA, 23 nm away

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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