# NTSB ATL92LA183: Corben Baby ACE, N840Z, Jacksonville, NC, September 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1992, 18:02 local (22:02 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, NC
- Location: 34.7541° N, 77.4302° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Jacksonville, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB coordinates: 33.809951, -79.43972 (estimated), outside the stated state
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7541&lon=-77.4302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8666/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA183

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN INADVERTENT STALL AND COLLISION WITH THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE AIRPLANE'S OWNER, THE PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING THE AIRPLANE'S PERFORMANCE TO A POSSIBLE BUYER WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND CRASHED. PRIOR TO THE IMPACT, A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE IN A STEEP RIGHT TURN (60 DEGREES OF BANK AT APPROXIMATELY CRUISE AIRSPEED) 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. IT DISAPPEARED BEHIND TREES IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE; THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO DISCLOSE A SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N840Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N840Z-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 1001, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CORBEN BABY ACE
- Registry model: [Robert B Boston CORBEN BABY ACE C](https://openairdocs.org/model/robert-b-boston-corben-baby-ace-c) (registry code 05631W8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 4AC176B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-4ac176b-series) (registry code 27006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1001
- Engines: FRANKLIN 4AC176B 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jones, A.V.
- Registered owner: Jones, A.V.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: NC41
- Destination: NC41
- Airport: NC41, Sky Manor, runway 26, 3,610 × 85 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,500 total, 10 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILM, 30 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 19920920037529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920920037529A), Sep 20, 1992: Amtraa BABYACEC, Jacksonville, NC, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Lost control in steep turn. Impacted ground in nose low altitude. Found no problems with controls or power plant.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.