# NTSB ATL91LA169: Bates, Frank L Skybolt, N9FB, Yatesville, GA, September 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1991, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Yatesville, GA
- Coordinates: 32.909832, -84.140892 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9098&lon=-84.1409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8466
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8466/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA169

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE DURING MANEUVERING FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING WITH A PASSENGER OVER HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP.  WHILE AT 800 FEET AGL, HE MADE A SHARP, 180-DEGREE TURN TO THE LEFT. WHILE IN THE TURN, THE AIRPLANE RAPIDLY LOST ALTITUDE.  HE THEN REVERSED THE TURN SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT AND PREPARED TO LAND.  WHILE IN THE SHARP, RIGHT TURN, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A LAKE THAT WAS LOCATED ABOUT 50 FEET FROM THE AIRSTRIP.  THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE.  INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, AND FLIGHT CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS CONFIRMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9FB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9FB-2014-04-01), registration cancelled 2014-04-01, S/N 01 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BATES, FRANK L SKYBOLT
- Registry model: [Bates Frank L SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/bates-frank-l-skybolt) (registry code 05691AX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bates, Frank L
- Registered owner: Bates, Frank L
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 1991, 110 hours before
- Airport: NONE, None, runway 12, 2,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,147 total, 88 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19910902037769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910902037769A), Sep 2, 1991: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Yatesville, GA, Destroyed. Stalled in a steep turn reversal over Private strip. Crashed into lake on edge of strip.

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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