# NTSB BFO88DIG02: Lamb Shoestring S-102, N47CL, Gaithersburg, MD, April 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1988, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Gaithersburg, MD
- Coordinates: 39.170417, -77.179382 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1704&lon=-77.1794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11348
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88DIG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11348/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88DIG02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INPROPERLY PERFORMING AEROBATICS WITHOUT SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO COMPLETE A RECOVERY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT MADE SEVERAL TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS PRIOR TO DEPARTING THE AIRPORT AREA. THE ACFT WAS NEXT SEEN AT AN ALT OF APRX 300 FT AGL OVER A LAND-FILL APRX 2 MILES FROM THE ARPT. THE ACFT ENTERED A 360 DEG TURN WITH 60 DEGS BANK. THE PLT THEN MADE A BARREL ROLL FOLLOWED BY A LEFT WING OVER. THE WITNESS STATED HE SAW THE WING FLUTTER AND THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE TREES AND TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47CL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47CL-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N CL102 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAMB SHOESTRING S-102 (SHOESTRING)
- Registry model: [Lamb SHOESTRING S-102](https://openairdocs.org/model/lamb-shoestring-s-102) (registry code 05611HB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CL102
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jonathan Woodner
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 16 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI

## 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 19880424071379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880424071379A), Apr 24, 1988: Amtrcd SHOESTRING, Gaithersburg, MD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed performing acrobatics at low altitude stalled crashed into trees.

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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