# NTSB CHI84FA290: Jerry D. Fish Drifter, N5150J, Columbus, IN, July 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1984, 19:39 local (Jul 13, 1984, 00:39 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, IN
- Coordinates: 39.210899, -85.910202 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2109&lon=-85.9102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12411
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA290
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12411/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA290

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wing,bracing wire - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE PLT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATICS & DID A SERIES OF LOOPS. WHILE MANEUVERING, THE LEFT WING FOLDED UPWARD & THE ACFT, AN EXPERIMENTAL ULTRALIGHT, ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE LEFT WING HAD FOLDED OVER THE ENG. EVIDENCE WAS FOUND THAT A WING BRACING CABLE HAD FAILED FROM OVERLOAD & THAT CABLES HAD BECOME WRAPPED IN THE PROP. NO PRE-ACCIDENT PART FAILURE WAS FOUND. AN FAA TOXICOLOGICAL TEST OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.145%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5150J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5150J-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 043, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JERRY D. FISH DRIFTER
- Registry model: [Fish Jerry D DRIFTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/fish-jerry-d-drifter) (registry code 05675WR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 043
- Engines: ROTAX 503 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry D. Fish
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 292 total, 11 in this make and model, 251 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOU, 50 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 19840712035519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840712035519A), Jul 12, 1984: Amtr DRIFTER, Columbus, IN, Destroyed. Airframe failure occurred while pilot was performing aerobatics. Pilot had been drinking alcoholic beverages.

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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