# NTSB ATL83FKJ03: Eaa Biplane P-2, N20KJ, Southside, AL, March 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1983, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Southside, AL
- Coordinates: 34.010353, -86.009971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0104&lon=-86.0100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5971
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FKJ03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5971/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FKJ03

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATICS OVER THE AIRPORT AT 400-500 FEET AGL. ON THE LAST PASS, HE HAD COMPLETED ONE ROLL AND WAS INVERTED IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SECOND ROLL WHEN THE AIRCRAFT DOVE AT THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL POSITION. THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL AT ALL TIMES TO WITNESSES ON THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED AT A 45 DEGREE NOSE DOWN WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS AN AMATEUR-BUILT BIPLANE COMPLETED BY THE PILOT AND ISSUED A SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE IN 1976. THE OPERATING LIMITATIONS ISSUED FOR THE AIRCRAFT PROHIBITED ANY AEROBATIC MANEUVERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N20KJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EAA BIPLANE P-2
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1975
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-GPU 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph R. Mcleney
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 20, 1982, 0 hours before
- Departed: SOUTHSIDE, AL
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: N/A, Southside

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,516 total, 254 in this make and model, 3,516 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANB

## 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 19830313007049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830313007049A), Mar 13, 1983: Amtrea EAABIPLANEP2, Southside, AL, Destroyed. Failed to recover from last of a series of loops and rolls at a low altitude. Airplane placarded against aerobatics

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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