# NTSB BFO89DID01: Halstead Sandpiper, N339RH, Chesapeake, VA, March 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1989, 11:02 local (16:02 UTC)
- Place: Chesapeake, VA
- Coordinates: 36.799568, -76.420806 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7996&lon=-76.4208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89DID01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11443/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89DID01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT/BUILDERS IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE RUDDERVADOR AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE FAILURE OF THE FAA TO DETECT THE FLAW DURING THE CERTIFICATION OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control,ruddervator - movement restricted (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate certification/approval,aircraft, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON THE MAIDEN TEST FLIGHT OF THE RECENTLY CERTIFICATED HOMEBUILT ACFT. THE PLT/BUILDER REPORTED NO PROBLEMS DURING HIGH SPEED TAXI RUNS. AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS AT SLOW SPEEDS WHICH DECREASED AS AIRSPEED INCREASED. DURING LANDING, THE ACFT STALLED HIGH AND BOUNCED TWICE ON THE RWY. THE PLT INITIATED A GO-AROUND AND DURING CLIMB OUT WAS UNABLE TO DECREASE PITCH TO GAIN AIRSPEED. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES NEAR THE RWY. THE PLT DESIGNED AND BUILT THE ACFT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DAVIS MIXING UNIT WHICH CONTROLS PITCH AND RUDDER INPUT TO THE RUDDERVADOR. THE DESIGN PLANS CALLED FOR 9 DEGS PITCH UP TRAVEL AND 8 DEGS PITCH DOWN TRAVEL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE RUDDERVADOR HAD BEEN INSTALLED WITH 12.5 DEGS NOSE UP TRAVEL AND 4.5 DEGS NOSE DOWN TRAVEL, THUS LIMITING THE PLTS ABILITY TO LOWER THE NOSE DURING CLIMB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N339RH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N339RH-2021-10-30), registration cancelled 2021-10-30, S/N RJ-82, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HALSTEAD SANDPIPER
- Registry model: [Halstead Richard J SANDPIPER](https://openairdocs.org/model/halstead-richard-j-sandpiper) (registry code 0561661) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-200-series) (registry code 17402, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: RJ82
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-75-12 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard J. Halstead
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 28, 1989, 2 hours before
- Airport: PVG, Hampton Roads, runway 10, 4,000 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 178 total, 150 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 15 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 19890317004189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890317004189A), Mar 17, 1989: Amtr SANDPIPER, Portmouth, VA, Destroyed. Bounced on first landing unable to flare. Pitch up on go around unable to lower nose. Ruddervators, set wrong pitch

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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