# NTSB ATL82FLJ06: Bede BD-4, N223LW, Knightdale, NC, March 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1982, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Knightdale, NC
- Location: 35.7900° N, 78.4956° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Knightdale, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7900&lon=-78.4956&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71281
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FLJ06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71281/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FLJ06

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

TWO WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT ON A LOW FINAL APPROACH FOR RUNWAY 19. THEY REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT THEN TURNED TO AN EASTERLY HEADING. ONE WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE LEFT TURN APPEARED TO BE COORDINATED. THE OTHER WITNESS HEARD THE PILOT ADD POWER BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED FROM HIS VIEW BEHIND TREES. THE PLANE CRASHED ABOUT 1/2 MILE NORTH OF THE RUNWAY AND APPROXIMATELY 1000 FT EAST OF THE PROJECTED RUNWAY CENTERLINE. THE INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED WITH TREES AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 50 FT AGL. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N223LW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N223LW-2011-07-22), registration cancelled 2011-07-22, S/N 223, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bede Aircraft BD-4
- Registry model: [Weiss BD-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/weiss-bd-4) (registry code 1130418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 223
- Airframe hours: 50
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Don Cole
- Registered owner: Don Cole
- Departed: HORSEHEAD, NY
- Destination: ROCKLEDGE, FL
- Airport: Wendell-Knightdale, runway 19, 3,000 × 35 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 201 total, 9 in this make and model, 117 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 147 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820318006329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820318006329A), Mar 18, 1982: Amtrbd BEDEBD4, Knightdale, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft was low on final approach for landing. Hit trees and crashed.

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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