# NTSB ATL84FMG03: Bowers FLY Baby 1A, N4986E, New Bern, NC, March 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1984, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: New Bern, NC
- Coordinates: 35.110877, -77.070236 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1109&lon=-77.0702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6334
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FMG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6334/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FMG03

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - flt control syst,aileron control - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THE ACFT LOST LATERAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF. HE REDUCED POWER AND LANDED THE ACFT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY WHILE MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL USING THE RUDDER. THE ACFT STALLED AT ABOUT 20 FT AGL AND WAS DAMAGED DURING THE HARD LANDING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AILERONS WERE NOT OPERATIVE BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT CONNECTED DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4986E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4986E-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 78-2, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOWERS FLY BABY 1A (FLY BABY 1)
- Registry model: [James-Richard BOWERS FLY BABY 1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/james-richard-bowers-fly-baby-1a) (registry code 1410175) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 78-2
- Airframe hours: 220
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard C. James
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1983, 75 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,000 total, 221 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F

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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