# NTSB ATL89DMG04: Wittman, S.J. W-8, N74849, Washington, NC, July 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1989, 16:56 local (20:56 UTC)
- Place: Washington, NC
- Coordinates: 35.550148, -77.050102 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5501&lon=-77.0501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DMG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7850/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DMG04

## Probable cause

PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS IN HIS RECENTLY PURCHASED EXPERIMENTAL ACFT. DURING A LANDING, WHILE 10-15 FEET AGL, THE ACFT DROPPED TO THE RUNWAY, BOUNCED, LANDED HARD AND NOSED OVER ONTO IT'S BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74849](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74849-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N WH-1, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Wittman, S.J. W-8
- Registry model: [Whittman Tailwind W-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/whittman-tailwind-w-8) (registry code 979020J) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: WH-1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John B. O'Reilly
- Registered owner: Johnson, Donald C
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Destination: OCW
- Airport: OCW, Warren Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; flight hours: 225 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ISO

## 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 19890717022599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890717022599A), Jul 17, 1989: Amtrwt TAILWIND, Washington, NC, Substantial damage. Bounced, lost control on landing came down hard and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N74849 (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 CHI05CA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA107), Apr 27, 2005: Whittman Tailwind (N74849), Lyndon, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his inadequate compensation for a tailwind, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent collision with the ground. Contributing to the…

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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