# NTSB BFO89LA056: Boeing A75N1, N56940, Bealeton, VA, July 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1989, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Bealeton, VA
- Location: 38.5504° N, 77.7158° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FLYING CIRCUS AERODROME (3VA3), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5504&lon=-77.7158&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11517
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11517/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA056

## Probable cause

WATER IN THE FUEL, WHICH RESULTED IN A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER DURING AN INVERTED LOW PASS,  AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PLAN THE MANEUVER TO ALLOW FOR APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - initiated, pilot in command
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56940](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56940-1990-07-16), registration cancelled 1990-07-16, S/N 75725 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1 (A75N-1)
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-725
- Airframe hours: 3139
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Flying Circus Airshows, Inc.
- Registered owner: Flying Circus, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1989, 6 hours before
- Airport: 3VA3, Flying Circus, runway 16, 2,500 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 33,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 30,000 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD

## 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 19890709020979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890709020979A), Jul 9, 1989: Boeing A75N1, Warrenton, VA, Destroyed. Made slow roll at 30FT AGL. Engine quit while inverted. No inverted fuel system. Wing hit. Cartwheeled.

## Other investigations on N56940 (1)

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.

- [NTSB IAD78FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FA001), Oct 2, 1977: Boeing A75N1 (N56940), Bealton, VA, substantial damage

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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