# NTSB CHI91DER02: Paulbicke Bede 5B, N334DF, Park Rapids, MN, April 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1991, 17:42 local (22:42 UTC)
- Place: Park Rapids, MN
- Coordinates: 46.909214, -95.059638 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9092&lon=-95.0596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DER02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14848/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DER02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND SUBSEQUENT SPIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS OBSERVED FLYING HIS MODIFIED HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE OVER THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER A 20 MINUTE LOCAL FLIGHT.  A WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 3,500 FEET WHEN IT ENTERED A SPIRAL/SPIN AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND.  FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ACCIDENT FOR SEVERAL DAYS, AND THE WRECKAGE HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE.  AIRCRAFT RECORDS AND PILOT LOGBOOKS WERE NOT LOCATED.  POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE WAS CONDUCTED IN THE HANGAR WHERE IT WAS STORED, AND REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION/DIFFICULTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N334DF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PAULBICKE BEDE 5B
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2334
- Engines: HONDA D15B2 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald Paulbicke
- Registered owner: Ronald Paulbicke
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PKD, 2 nm away

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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