# NTSB BFO87DHD08: Bede BD5B, N533BD, Wilmington, DE, August 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1987, 08:24 local (12:24 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, DE
- Location: 39.6787° N, 75.6066° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at NEW CASTLE (ILG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6787&lon=-75.6066&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11262
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87DHD08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11262/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87DHD08

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR OBSTACLES LOCATED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. HIS OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT'S PERFORMANCE WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AN INITIAL TEST FLIGHT OF HIS HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT. HE STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT ACCELERATE, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB TO CLEAR OBSTACLES (TREES) OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TOP OF THE TREES AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED THAT 'THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING GOOD, EVERYTHING SEEMED OK....AIRCRAFT HANDLED BEAUTIFULLY, BUT DID NOT ACCELERATE.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N533BD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N533BD-1989-01-18), registration cancelled 1989-01-18, S/N 533 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bede Aircraft BD5B
- Registry model: [Coverdale BD-5B MICRO](https://openairdocs.org/model/coverdale-bd-5b-micro) (registry code 1130635) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 533
- Engines: KAWASAKI T-C-440 -A2D 70 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Coverdale
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, December 7, 1987, 0 hours before
- Airport: ILG, Greater Wilmington, runway 1, 7,100 × 200 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 141 total, 114 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILG, 1 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 19870821076639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870821076639A), Aug 21, 1987: Amtrbd BEDEBD5B, Wilmington, DE, Substantial damage. Failed to obtain adequate flying speed. Crashed shortly after takeoff. Hit top of trees. Stalled into a field.

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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