# NTSB CHI87DEX09: de Havilland Dragonfly  DH-90, N190DH, Sellersburg, IN, September 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1987, 13:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Sellersburg, IN
- Coordinates: 38.390666, -85.749816 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3907&lon=-85.7498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13613
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEX09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13613/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEX09

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,normal brake system - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT BEGAN LEFT DRIFT DURING TAKEOFF ROLL. PILOT CORRECTED WITH RIGHT RUDDER, AND AIRCRAFT VEERED SHARPLY RIGHT. AIRCRAFT DID NOT RESPOND TO APPLICATION OF LEFT RUDDER OR INCREASED THRUST FROM RIGHT ENGINE; DEPARTED RUNWAY AND CRASHED INTO DRAINAGE DITCH. PILOT NEVER ATTEMPTED TO ABORT TAKEOFF. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING INNER AND OUTER BUSHINGS HAD BEEN INTERCHANGED ALLOWING THE BRAKE/BACKING PLATE ASSEMBLY TO BIND ON THE WHEEL/DRUM ASSEMBLY. THE WHEEL BEARINGS HAD BEEN REPACKED ON THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION, 20 OPERATING HOURS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N190DH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N190DH-1989-03-02), registration cancelled 1989-03-02, S/N 7526 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DRAGONFLY  DH-90 (DRAGONFLY)
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DH90A DRAGONFLY](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dh90a-dragonfly) (registry code 2802306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7516
- Airframe hours: 400
- Engines: de Havilland 10 MK.1-3 130 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael R. Simmons
- Registered owner: Charles A. Osborn , Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1987, 20 hours before
- Departed: JVY, IN
- Airport: JVY, Clark Co., runway 36, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,370 total, 300 in this make and model, 4,230 as pilot in command, 136 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JVY

## 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 19870922054259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870922054259A), Sep 22, 1987: Amtr DRAGONFLY, Sellersburg, IN, Substantial damage. Veered off runway on takeoff roll and crashed. Right wheel bearings improperly installed caused wheel lockup.

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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