# NTSB CHI89DEM03: Beneteau Steen Skybolt, N199BP, Elk Rapids, MI, June 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1989, 18:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Elk Rapids, MI
- Coordinates: 44.890678, -85.399208 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8907&lon=-85.3992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14195
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEM03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14195/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEM03

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHILE ATTEMPTING AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER. FACTORS RELATED TO THE WERE: INADEQUATE ALTITUDE AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE PILOT MAKE A LOW PASS (300 FT AGL) OVER THE RUNWAY DURING WHICH THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A ROLL TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE AIRPLANE REACHED THE INVERTED POSITION, IT PITCHED DOWNWARD AND DESCENDED TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR FLIGHT TIME IN THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N199BP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N199BP-1990-03-13), registration cancelled 1990-03-13, S/N 23106 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENETEAU STEEN SKYBOLT (STEEN SKYB)
- Registry model: [Beneteau STEEN SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/beneteau-steen-skybolt) (registry code 0565524) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 23106
- Airframe hours: 195
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter C. Morrison, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 1989, 8 hours before
- Airport: M103, Yuba

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,780 total, 3 in this make and model, 9,300 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVC, 8 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 19890619016139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890619016139A), Jun 19, 1989: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Elk Rapids, MI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. At cruise speed entered a left roll over runway at 300 feet. At inverted position pitched down. Impacted ground.

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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