# NTSB CHI92FA223: Edra/Mcdermitt Seabird/Petrel, N109SB, Oshkosh, WI, August 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1992, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Oshkosh, WI
- Coordinates: 44.059623, -88.539077 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0596&lon=-88.5391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15304
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15304/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA223

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE QUALITY CONTROL DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS RESULTING IN THE IN-FLIGHT STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE TAILBOOM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - fuselage - inadequate (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, manufacturer (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE BRAZILIAN MANUFACTURED AMPHIBIAN HOMEBUILT KIT AIRPLANE HAD NOT MADE ANY WATER LANDINGS OR TAKEOFFS PRIOR TO ITS ARRIVAL AT THE EAA FLY-IN. IT HAD BEEN PARKED IN A COVE ADJACENT TO A LAKE. SOMETIME DURING THE EVENING AND/OR EARLY MORNING THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE AIRPLANE BECAME PARTIALLY SUBMERGED WHILE MOORED DUE TO ROUGH WEATHER AND WATER. IT WAS BROUGHT CLOSE TO SHORE AND THE WATER REMOVED. PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT WITNESSES OBSERVED THE PILOT AND AN ASSOCIATE PULLING THE AIRPLANE ONTO SHORE BY THE TAILBOOM. DURING THE SECOND DAY OF FLYING, THE EMPENNAGE AND TAILBOOM ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE/HULL DURING A DESCENT. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE TAILBOOM WAS CONSTRUCTED WITH ONLY FOUR OF THE SIX REQUIRED CARBON FIBER LAMINATE PLIES. IN ADDITION, THE STRIPS UTILIZED TO HOLD THE TAILBOOM TOGETHER WERE ALSO MINUS ONE CARBON FIBER LAMINATE PLY. THE TAILBOOM CAME ASSEMBLED FROM THE KIT MANUFACTURER IN BRAZIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N109SB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N109SB-1995-11-03), registration cancelled 1995-11-03, S/N 0035B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EDRA/MCDERMITT SEABIRD/PETREL (SEABIRD/PE)
- Registry model: [Edra Helicentro/Mcdermitt SEABIRD](https://openairdocs.org/model/edra-helicentro-mcdermitt-seabird) (registry code 95708EU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0035-B
- Engines: ROTAX 532LC 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Seabird Aviation
- Registered owner: Seabird Aviation
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 13, 1992

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,771 total, 89 in this make and model, 1,638 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots, gusting 2
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSH, 5 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 19920803028729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920803028729A), Aug 3, 1992: Amtr SEABIRD, Oshkosh, WI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Composite tailboom structure failed in flight. Lost empannage. Over stressed and poor construction were factors.

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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