# NTSB CHI84LA400: Steen Skybolt, N57SP, Valparaiso, IN, September 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1984, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Valparaiso, IN
- Coordinates: 41.469329, -87.050163 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4693&lon=-87.0502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12783
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA400
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12783/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA400

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DRAGGED A WING AND FLIPPED OVER AFTER THE PLT MADE A HARD LANDING AND LOST CONTROL. THE PLT ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND IN AN UNCONTROLLED SITUATION. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57SP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57SP), registered now, S/N 2051, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STEEN SKYBOLT
- Registry model: [Prest STEEN SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/prest-steen-skybolt) (registry code 0565559) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2051
- Airframe hours: 334
- Engines: FRANKLIN GA-350-C1 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John L. Goodpaster
- Registered owner: John L. Goodpaster
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1984, 15 hours before
- Airport: VPZ, Porter Co., runway 9, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: center; flight hours: 8,120 total, 79 in this make and model, 7,858 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 30 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 19840921050509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840921050509A), Sep 21, 1984: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit hard during landing causing pilot to lose control. Left wing hit ground causing flip over.

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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