# NTSB ATL83LA268: Eames Acro Sport, N16SE, Huntersville, NC, July 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1983, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Huntersville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.409175, -80.839309 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4092&lon=-80.8393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6122
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6122/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA268

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE DURING INVERTED FLT OVER AN ARPT. THE PILOT HAD MADE SEVERAL AEROBATIC MANEUVERS OVER THE AIRFIELD. ON THE LAST PASS THE ACFT WAS INVERTED AT LOW ALT AS IT PROCEEDED DOWN THE RWY IT DRIFTED WEST ABOUT 200 FT AND HIT A TREE NEAR THE TOP. THE PILOT ROLLED RIGHT SIDE UP AND MADE A HIGH SPEED WHEEL LANDING WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENTTHE FAA CONFIRMED THAT A LOW ALT WAIVER HAD NOT BEEN OBTAINED PRIOR TO THIS FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16SE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16SE-2005-03-24), registration cancelled 2005-03-24, S/N 2329, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EAMES ACRO SPORT
- Registry model: [Eames ACRO SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/eames-acro-sport) (registry code 0564650) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2329
- Airframe hours: 110
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-AHA reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry W. Barger
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 4, 1983, 35 hours before
- Airport: NC05, Bradford, runway 23, 3,850 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,044 total, 934 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 14 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 19830709034589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830709034589A), Jul 9, 1983: Amtrea ACROSPORT, Huntersville, NC, Substantial damage. Struck tree tops on a low inadvertent pass over the runway. Had drifted off center. No waiver for low acrobatics.

## Other investigations on N16SE (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL02LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA129), Jun 22, 2002: Eames Acro Sport (N16SE), Burlington, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. This resulted in a forced landing and subsequent hard landing while maneuvering around trees.

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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