# NTSB CHI99LA198: Mahler BD-4, N184BD, Baldwin City, KS, June 26, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 26, 1999, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Baldwin City, KS - Coordinates: 38.76942, -95.179794 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7694&lon=-95.1798&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46675 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA198 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46675/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA198 ## Probable cause The pilot not maintaining directional control with the runway centerline during takeoff. A factor was the high vegetation off the left side of the runway. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - wing - bent - landing gear,nose gear - buckled ## Analysis The pilot said he was taking off on runway 16 and was using the left side of the runway. He stated the airplane drifted further to the left side of the runway, exited the left side of the runway, and entered tall grass. He said the grass was three foot high. He said the left wing tip contacted the ground and the nose gear buckled. He stated the airplane skidded to a stop approximately 100 feet to the left of the runway. At 1454, the Lawrence Municipal Airport weather observation was: Wind 160 degrees at 8 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 1999, at 1515 central daylight time, a Mahler BD-4, N184BD, piloted by a private pilot received substantial damage on impact with terrain during an attempted takeoff from runway 16 (3,220 feet X 80 feet dry turf/gravel) at Vinland Valley Aerodrome Airport, Baldwin City, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and with an intended destination of Ottawa Municipal Airport, Ottawa, Kansas. In his written statement, the pilot said that he was taking off on runway 16 and was using the left side of the runway. He stated that midway down the runway, the airplane drifted further to the left side of the runway, exited the left side of the runway, and entered tall grass. He said that the grass was three feet high. He said that the left wing tip contacted the ground and the nose gear buckled. He stated that the airplane skidded to a stop approximately 100 feet to the left of the runway. At 1454, the Lawrence Municipal Airport weather observation was: Wind 160 degrees at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N184BD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N184BD-2013-04-11), registration cancelled 2013-04-11, S/N 184, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mahler BD-4 - Registry model: [Mahler BD-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/mahler-bd-4) (registry code 05619AG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 184 - Airframe hours: 862 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rodny Sebby / Terry Kilgore - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1998, 6 hours before - Departed: K64 - Destination: OWI, OTTAWA, KS - Airport: K64, Vinland Valley Aerodrome, runway 16, 3,220 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 195 total, 9 in this make and model, 89 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LWC, 10 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 19990626007659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990626007659A), Jun 26, 1999: Amtr BD4, Baldwin City, KS, Substantial damage. Acft was on rotation, when it drifted left off the rwy, the left wing tip contacted the ground resulting in damage to the left wing, propeller, and nose gear.… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.