# NTSB CEN12LA331: Baldwin Skybolt, N24EB, Stuttgart, AR, May 30, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 29, 2012, 19:15 local (May 30, 2012, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Stuttgart, AR - Coordinates: 34.599445, -91.574996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5994&lon=-91.5750&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 83800 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA331 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83800/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83800 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA331 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane’s overweight takeoff from an airstrip with a high density altitude and subsequent collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Baldwin Earl BALDWIN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=05655XM), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: weight/balance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Baldwin Earl BALDWIN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?model=05655XM), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Baldwin Earl BALDWIN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=05655XM), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Baldwin Earl BALDWIN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=05655XM), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Baldwin Earl BALDWIN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05655XM), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and a passenger departed in an experimental amateur-built airplane from a private airstrip with a higher-than-standard density altitude. The pilot was unable to maintain a positive rate of climb during the takeoff and turned back toward the airport. The airplane subsequently impacted rough terrain, and a postimpact ground fire occurred. Postaccident calculations revealed that the airplane’s gross weight for the accident flight exceeded its maximum gross weight. The pilot reported no airplane mechanical malfunctions, and postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 2012, about 1915 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Baldwin Skybolt airplane, N24EB, impacted terrain following takeoff from a private airstrip near Stuttgart, Arkansas. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the landing and post impact ground fire. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual flight rules conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight was originating from the private airstrip at the time of the accident. According to the pilot’s accident report, he landed at a private agricultural airstrip and filled the airplane up with 100 low lead aviation gasoline (avgas). He indicated that the airplane contained 35 gallons of avgas. He started a shallow climb at 120 knots indicated airspeed and 1,000 feet per minute climb at full engine power. The pilot stated that he started a standard rate turn to the west and upon entering the turn, the airplane felt as if it “settled” and lost lift. He proceeded with emergency procedures and checked all instrumentation. The airplane was still indicating a shallow climb attitude, 120 knots airspeed, and a vertical speed of 1,000 feet per minute descent. The pilot started a turn back to the airstrip and realized that the airplane was not going to be able to make the airstrip. He elected to land in a plowed unplanted field. He flared and impacted the field at 100 knots. The landing gear folded under the airplane and the airplane came to rest in about 20 yards from the impact point. After the airplane came to rest, a fire started in the engine compartment, which spread to the cockpit. Approximately two minutes later, the fuel tank caught on fire and the aircraft was consumed by fire. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage on-scene and took pictures. Reviewing the images did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. Additionally, the pilot reported that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions. According to the inspector, the airplane was reported to make a 180-degree turn back toward the runway. However, a nearby road, perpendicular to the takeoff heading, was available for a forced landing. At 1853, the recorded weather at the Grider Field Airport, near Pine Bluff, Arkansas, about 31 nautical miles and 215 degrees from the accident site, was: wind 250 degrees at 3 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 32 degrees C; dew point 19 degrees C; altimeter 29.82 inches of mercury. The calculated density altitude there was 2,376.9 feet. According to FAA records, the pilot held a medical certificate dated May 30, 2012. On the application for medical certificate, the pilot reported that he had accumulated 7,250 hours of total flight time and 250 hours of flight time in the six months prior to thatmedical certificate. It further indicated that his weight was 259 pounds. According to the pilot, the airplane’s empty weight was 1,249 pounds and its reported maximum weight was 1,900 pounds. However, the airplane plans designer listed the airplane’s maximum gross weight as 1,800 pounds. The airplane’s 35 gallons of 100 low lead aviation gasoline weighed about 211 pounds. According to information stated to the FAA inspector, the passenger weighed about 220 pounds. The calculated total weight of the accident airplane based on those reported details was 1,939 pounds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N24EB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24EB-2017-09-07), registration cancelled 2017-09-07, S/N 2, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BALDWIN SKYBOLT - Registry model: [Baldwin Earl BALDWIN SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/baldwin-earl-baldwin-skybolt) (registry code 05655XM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2 - Airframe hours: 325 - Engines: Continental O-470 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 25, 2012 - Departed: PVT, Stuttgart, AR - Destination: SGT, Stuttgart, AR - Airport: PVT, Private Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 15, 2011; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,200 total, 450 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: PBF, 31 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 20120529008969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120529008969A), May 29, 2012: Baldwin Earl BALDWIN SKYBOLT, Stuttgart, AR, Destroyed. On may 29, 2012 at 1915 CDT a Baldwin Skybolt registered to [privacy data omitted] landed in a field south of Early Ag Airstrip, Stuttgart, AR while on a… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 1, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83800. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384495&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Communication Summary (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385578&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Communication%20Summary-Master.PDF - Communication Summary (item 3, .PDF, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385577&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Communication%20Summary-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous - Local Recorded Weather (item 4, .PDF, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369440&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%20-%20Local%20Recorded%20Weather-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous - Density Altitude Calculator Results (item 5, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384763&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%20-%20Density%20Altitude%20Calculator%20Results-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous - Weight Calculation (item 6, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385547&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%20-%20Weight%20Calculation-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous - Plans Built Designer's Specifications (item 7, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385579&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%20-%20Plans%20Built%20Designer%27s%20Specifications-Redacted.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.