# NTSB CHI89DEC06: Feil BD-5, N9BD, Pontiac, MI, August 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1989, 15:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Pontiac, MI
- Coordinates: 42.769462, -82.529632 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7695&lon=-82.5296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14179
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEC06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14179/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEC06

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE EXCESSIVE PULL-UP MANEUVER AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT DEPART ON RUNWAY 09R AT A HIGH PITCH ATTITUDE. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A LEFT ROLL TO A NEAR INVERTED POSITION AND DESCENDED TO TERRAIN IMPACT APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE EAST OF THE AIRPORT. INSPECTION REVEALED NO MALFUNCTION/FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS FLIGHT WAS THE SECOND FLIGHT FOR THE PILOT IN THIS AIRCRAFT SINCE 1987. THE PILOT REPORTEDLY STATED TO A WITNESS THAT HE WANTED TO FLY TO GET USED TO THE FEEL OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9BD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9BD-1991-10-15), registration cancelled 1991-10-15, S/N 3323 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FEIL BD-5
- Registry model: [Feil Fred BD-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/feil-fred-bd-5) (registry code 11307J8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3323
- Engines: HONDA EB 3-0200162 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Henri F. Feil
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: PTK, Oakland-Pontiac, runway 9R, 6,200 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 302 total, 302 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK, 1 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 19890826031719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890826031719A), Aug 26, 1989: Amtrbd BEDEBD5, Pontiac, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control on second takeoff in his homebuilt. Rolled right and crashed from 100 feet AGL.

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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