# NTSB CHI05LA030: Hedge Bede-4, N435BD, Omaha, NE, November 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 13, 2004, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Omaha, NE - Coordinates: 41.368331, -96.022499 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3683&lon=-96.0225&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Lincoln FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60578 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60578/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA030 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane resulting in a stall and spin, while on approach to land. Contributing factors were the airplane's low altitude and low airspeed at the time of loss of control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - low, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command - altitude - low - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a stall/spin while on approach to land. A witness reported he saw the airplane flying low in a southerly direction. He stated that he heard a loud noise and saw the airplane spiraling toward the ground, subsequently impacting the ground nose first. The accident site was located approximately 540 feet north of the approach end of runway 17. The airplane was oriented on a 040-degree magnetic heading. Debris was confined to the area immediately surrounding the aircraft. No impact marks in the terrain except for those in the immediate vicinity of the aircraft were observed. An individual who knew the accident pilot reported that he had the tendency to make "flat, skidding" turns, with little or no bank angle. A post-accident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of a pre-impact anomaly. Flight control continuity was verified from the control surfaces to the cabin area. ## Factual narrative On November 13, 2004, about 1500 central standard time, an amateur-built Hedge Bede-4, N435BD, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with terrain near North Omaha Airport (3NO), Omaha, Nebraska. The flight was approaching to land on runway 17 (2,480 feet by 40 feet, concrete) at the time of the accident. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The local flight departed 3NO about 1440 and was conducting takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern when the accident occurred. A witness to the accident informed sheriff's deputies that he saw the airplane flying low in a southerly direction. He stated that he heard a loud noise and saw the airplane spiraling toward the ground, subsequently impacting the ground nose first. The accident site was located approximately 540 feet north of the approach end of runway 17. The airplane was oriented on a 040-degree magnetic heading. Debris was confined to the area immediately surrounding the aircraft. No impact marks in the terrain except for those in the immediate vicinity of the aircraft were observed. An individual who knew the accident pilot reported that he had the tendency to make "flat, skidding" turns, with little or no bank angle. He noted that he had never flown with the accident pilot, but had observed his flying from the ground. The post-accident examination of the airframe and engine conducted by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors did not reveal any anomalies. Flight control continuity was verified from the control surfaces to the cabin area. Internal engine and accessory section continuity was verified by crankshaft rotation. Compression was obtained at all cylinders. Spark plug appearance was consistent with normal operation. The magnetos appeared undamaged and the drive gears turned freely. The magnetos were not functionally tested. Fluid consistent in appearance and odor to fuel was present in the fuel strainer, electric boost pump and engine drive fuel pump. The strainer and fuel servo screens were free of contaminants. The accident airplane was a Hedge Bede-4 (serial number 435) low-wing, single-engine configuration. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records indicated that an experimental airworthiness certificate was issued for the airplane on June 11, 1993. According to the aircraft records, the total airframe and engine time was approximately 265 hours. A condition inspection was completed on May 20, 2003, at 255 hours. The accident pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with single and multi-engine land, and instrument-airplane ratings. His pilot certificate included Boeing 707 and 720 type ratings. He was issued a Third-Class airman medical certificate on May 29, 2003. His most recent flight review was completed on March 20, 2004. He reported a total flight time of 9,200 hours on his last medical certificate application. An autopsy of the pilot was performed at the Douglas County Hospital on November 14, 2004. The FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute toxicology report was negative for all tests performed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N435BD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N435BD-2005-02-07), registration cancelled 2005-02-07, S/N 435, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HEDGE Bede-4 - Registry model: [Hedge Richard W BEDE-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/hedge-richard-w-bede-4) (registry code 1130459) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 435 - Airframe hours: 264.5 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C2C 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 22, 2003, 9.4 hours before - Departed: 3NO, Omaha, NE - Airport: 3NO, North Omaha, runway 17, 2,480 × 40 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 20, 2004; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,200 total, 264 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.54 inHg - Observed at: OMA, 7 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 20041113030019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041113030019A), Nov 13, 2004: Amtr BEDEBD4, Omaha, NE, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) Approach to landing runway 17, loss of control, stall/spin. 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.