# NTSB CHI85FA211: Steens Skybolt, N64AB, New Baden, IL, May 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1985, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: New Baden, IL
- Coordinates: 38.529342, -89.690841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5293&lon=-89.6908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12839/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA211

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft handling (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT MADE A LOW PASS DOWN THE RWY (20 TO 30 FT AGL) AT AN AIRSPEED OF APRX 200 MPH. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A STEEP CLIMB AND AT ABOUT 100 AT AGL, THE ACFT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT. THE ACFT LOST ALT DURING THE ROLL AND DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64AB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64AB-1990-06-21), registration cancelled 1990-06-21, S/N ARB16 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STEENS SKYBOLT
- Registry model: [Braun SKYBOLT-BIPLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/braun-skybolt-biplane) (registry code 05655B6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: ARB-16
- Airframe hours: 377
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Albert H. Braun
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1985, 9 hours before
- Departed: NEW BADEN, IL
- Airport: Fischer, runway 18, 2,400 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,756 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BVL, 15 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 19850527020659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850527020659A), May 27, 1985: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, New Baden, IL, Destroyed. Impacted ground after climb and abrupt turn following low high speed pass over runway. Fire after crash.

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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