# NTSB ATL93LA023: Bede BD-5B, N84EJ, Guntersville, AL, November 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1992, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Guntersville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.349319, -86.270126 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3493&lon=-86.2701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8703
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8703/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA023

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT STALL OF THE AIRPLANE, DURING THE BASE TO FINAL TURN, AT TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE TO EFFECT RECOVERY. FACTORS WERE THE IMPROPER LIFT OFF, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE RE CONTACTING THE RUNWAY AFTER LIFT OFF, AND SERVED TO DISTRACT THE PILOT DURING THE TURN TO THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - runway
  - lift-off - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER LIFT OFF FROM THE RUNWAY, AT ABOUT SIX TO EIGHT FEET, THE LANDING GEAR WAS RETRACTED & THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE PITCHED DOWN. THE AIRPLANE IS EQUIPPED WITH A SIDE STICK CONTROLLER & A MANUALLY ACTUATED LANDING GEAR. THE LANDING GEAR HANDLE IS LOCATED FORWARD OF THE PILOT IN THE CENTER OF THE FLOOR, BETWEEN THE PILOT'S LEGS, & IS PULLED AFT TO RETRACT THE GEAR. THE BOTTOM OF THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE RUNWAY WHICH SEPARATED THE OIL COOLER SCOOP. THE PILOT THEN ENTERED A RIGHT HAND TRAFFIC PATTERN. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, AS THE AIRPLANE WAS TURNED FROM THE BASE TO FINAL LEG IT STALLED ABRUPTLY, ROLLED LEFT MORE THAN ONCE, AND BEGAN A VERTICAL DIVE TO IMPACT. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED FIRE DAMAGE AND CONTINUITY OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. THE PILOT'S HANDBOOK INDICATES THAT AN ACCELERATED STALL WILL RESULT IN A LEFT ROLL. IT ALSO STATES THAT A STALL BUFFET WILL OCCUR ABOUT 72 MPH. THE LOG BOOK FOR N84EJ NOTED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD A CLEAN STALL SPEED OF 80 MPH, & A STALL SPEED OF 85 MPH IN A 60 DEGREE ONE 'G' RIGHT TURN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84EJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84EJ-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N BD5-1939, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bede Aircraft BD-5B
- Registry model: [Johnson Edward H JR BD-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-edward-h-jr-bd-5b) (registry code 11307F9) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Honda CIVIC](https://openairdocs.org/engine/honda-civic) (registry code 33802, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: BD5-1939
- Airframe hours: 111
- Engines: HONDA EB2 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Johnson, Edward H., Jr.
- Registered owner: Johnson, Edward H., Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1992, 41 hours before
- Departed: 8A1
- Destination: VPC, CARTERSVILLE, GA
- Airport: 8A1, Guntersville Muni., runway 2, 3,360 × 95 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,608 total, 102 in this make and model, 1,504 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HSV, 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 19921108045719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921108045719A), Nov 8, 1992: Amtrbd BEDEBD5B, Guntersville, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Erratic takeoff knocked off oil cooler scoop then snap roll turning final from accelerated stall. Vertical dive.

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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