# NTSB CEN12CA360: Birchler Boyd Eagle 540, N34BJ, Kokomo, IN, June 9, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 9, 2012, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Kokomo, IN - Coordinates: 40.521945, -86.054725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5219&lon=-86.0547&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83937 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA360 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83937/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83937 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA360 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the trees during a low-level aerobatic maneuver. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Birchler Boyd EAGLE 540, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=05621ZS), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Birchler Boyd EAGLE 540, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05621ZS), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Birchler Boyd EAGLE 540, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05621ZS), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot planned to depart the runway and then turn left toward a row of trees for an aerobatic demonstration at a local air show. At a set distance from the trees, his plan was to roll the airplane inverted and then climb away from the trees. However, during the performance, he realized that the airplane wasn’t going to clear the trees. The pilot stated that he tried to increase the airplane’s climb angle, but the airplane struck the trees. The pilot continued the airplane’s climb and returned to the airfield for a landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its wings and horizontal stabilizer during the collision with the trees. The pilot reported that the primary cause of the accident was “misjudgment in distance” and “pilot error.” He also indicated that the wind was occasionally gusty, but he was unable to ascertain whether that was a factor. ## Factual narrative The pilot planned to depart the runway and then turn left towards a row of trees for an aerobatic demonstration at a local airshow. At a set distance from the trees, his plan was to roll the airplane inverted and then climb away from the trees. However, during the performance, he realized the airplane wasn’t going to clear the trees. The pilot stated that he applied more controls in order to increase the climb angle, but the airplane collided with the trees. The pilot continued the airplane’s climb and returned to the airfield for a landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its wings and horizontal stabilizer during the collision with the trees. The pilot reported that the primary cause of the accident was “misjudgment in the distance”. He also reported that there were occasionally gusty winds, but was unable to ascertain whether the winds were a factor or not. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N34BJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34BJ-2018-02-08), registration cancelled 2018-02-08, S/N BJ-1, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BIRCHLER BOYD EAGLE 540 - Registry model: [Birchler Boyd EAGLE 540](https://openairdocs.org/model/birchler-boyd-eagle-540) (registry code 05621ZS) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-C4B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-c4b5) (registry code 41651, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: BJ-1 - Airframe hours: 80 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Air race/show, Part 91 - Operator: Billy Werth Airshows, LLC - Registered owner: Billy Werth Airshows, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 3, 2011 - Departed: KOKK, Kokomo, IN - Destination: KOKK, Kokomo, IN - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KOKK, Kokomo Municipal Airport, runway 23, 5,201 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; flight instructor, military, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 14, 2012; seat: rear; flight hours: 10,100 total, 41 in this make and model, 6,700 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KOKK ## 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 20120609010459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120609010459A), Jun 9, 2012: Birchler Boyd EAGLE 540, Kokomo, IN, Substantial damage. On Saturday, June 9, 2012 pilot [privacy data omitted] was performing at an air show for the wings and wheels air show held at the Kokomo, Indiana airport.… ## Other investigations on N34BJ (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 ERA14LA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA378), Aug 10, 2014: Birchler Boyd Eagle 540 (N34BJ), Standish, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 3, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83937. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371499&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371536&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.