# NTSB ATL90DKJ01: Steen Skybolt, N211RB, Bessemer, AL, October 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1989, 16:02 local (21:02 UTC)
- Place: Bessemer, AL
- Coordinates: 33.429424, -86.989311 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4294&lon=-86.9893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8084
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90DKJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8084/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90DKJ01

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND DURING AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER. WHILE ATTEMPTING A SNAP ROLL, THE PILOT FAILED TO INTRODUCE SUFFICIENT ELEVATOR INPUT TO COMPLETE THE MANEUVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING IN AN AIRSHOW. HE STATED TO THE FAA INSPECTOR THAT A SNAP ROLL WAS ATTEMPTED. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT APPLY SUFFICIENT ELEVATOR PITCH UP AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED, THEN SCOOPED OUT. AT THAT POINT HE WAS TOO LOW TO RECOVER AND DESCENDED TO IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO DENSE WOODS ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE RUNWAY EDGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N211RB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N211RB-1990-07-20), registration cancelled 1990-07-20, S/N 06019 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STEEN SKYBOLT
- Registry model: [Beverly Randall A STEEN SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/beverly-randall-a-steen-skybolt) (registry code 05655MQ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 06019
- Airframe hours: 270
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: James P. Owens
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1989, 12 hours before
- Departed: 2A3, BESSEMER, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,098 total, 200 in this make and model, 810 as pilot in command, 97 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 10 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 19891015040389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891015040389A), Oct 15, 1989: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Bessemer, AL, Destroyed. Collided with trees while performing a low level snap roll at an airshow.

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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