# NTSB CHI82FA135: Dauntless D52, N1422D, Sebring, OH, April 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1982, 17:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Sebring, OH
- Location: 40.9200° N, 81.0253° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sebring, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9200&lon=-81.0253&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72589
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72589/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA135

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,spar - overload (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing,spar - failure,total (cause)
  - wing,spar - separation (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

BOTH WINGS SEPARATED DURING AN EXPERIMENTAL TEST FLIGHT OF THE MOTORIZED GLIDER. THE PLT HAD INDICATED THE TESTS WOULD INCLUDE CLIMBING TO A SAFE ALTITUDE & DOING A FEW POWER-OFF SHALLOW GLIDES TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY INDICATION OF FLUTTER AT PERHAPS MAX SPEED OF INDICATED 130-135 MPH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1422D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1422D-1982-09-16), registration cancelled 1982-09-16, S/N D-52001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DAUNTLESS D52
- Registry model: [Dauntless D52](https://openairdocs.org/model/dauntless-d52) (registry code 0561112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 7
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-M2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Dauntless, Inc.
- Registered owner: Dauntless, Inc.
- Departed: C, NORTH BENTON, OH
- Destination: C, NORTH BENTON, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 9,500 total, 5,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 162 °F
- Observed at: CLE, 40 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 19820425010939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820425010939A), Apr 25, 1982: Amtr DAUNTLESSD52, Sebring, OH, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircrafts wings broke up while in level flight. Some air turbulence in area. On a test flight of experimental type.

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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