# NTSB ATL90DMG01: Waldron Flybaby, N91089, Troy, NC, January 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 7, 1990, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Troy, NC
- Coordinates: 35.360454, -79.889335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3605&lon=-79.8893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8095
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90DMG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8095/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90DMG01

## Probable cause

POOR JUDGEMENT OF THE NON-RATED PILOT, DUE TO IMPAIRMENT FROM CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL, HIS LACK OF TRAINING/QUALIFICATION, HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE ENGINE CONTROLS WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM PROBABLE CARBURETOR ICE, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A NON-RATED PERSON (WITH NO FAA MEDICAL OR PLT CERTIFICATE) ELECTED TO FLY THE HOME-BUILT ACFT.  REPORTEDLY, THE ENG BEGAN TO 'MISFIRE' WHEN THE ACFT WAS OVER THE ARPT AT ABOUT 1000' AGL.  THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND; HOWEVER, THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED IN A STEEP DSCNT NEAR THE 1600' RWY.  NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND.  THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 44 & 36 DEG, RESPECTIVELY.  ACCORDING TO CARB ICING CHARTS, CONDITIONS WOULD HAVE BEEN CONDUCIVE TO SERIOUS CARB ICING.  NO RECORD WAS FOUND THAT THE PLT HAD RCVD PLT TRAINING, THOUGH HE HAD REPORTEDLY FLOWN ULTRALIGHT CRAFT.  TOXICOLOGY CHECKS SHOWED HE HAD A (BLOOD)-ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.07O%, & A URINE-ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.145% (145 MG/DL).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91089](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91089-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 75-5, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WALDRON FLYBABY
- Registry model: [Waldron FLYBABY](https://openairdocs.org/model/waldron-flybaby) (registry code 1410150) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 4AC199D&E series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-4ac199d-e-series) (registry code 27009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 75-5
- Engines: FRANKLIN 4AC-199 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Franklin Mcintyre
- Registered owner: Lawrence Lee Littlefield
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: Batten

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 50 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 19900107066139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900107066139A), Jan 7, 1990: Amtrbw FLYBABY1, Troy, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed over field. Engine misfiring. Circled to land. Stalled. Vertical impact. No pilot ratings or medical.

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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