# NTSB DEN80FTE46: Bullen Bede 4, N8144, Colorado Sprgs, CO, May 30, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 30, 1980
- Place: Colorado Sprgs, CO · COLORADO SPRGS, CO
- Location: 38.8339° N, 104.8214° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Colorado Springs, CO, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8339&lon=-104.8214&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 16, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 130971
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN80FTE46
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FTE46

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1317  80/5/30    COLORADO SPRGS,CO   BULLEN BEDE 4       CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 41, 1300
        TIME - 0945                    N8144               PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 600 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - COLO SPRGS MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          COLORADO SPRGS,CO           SAN JOSE,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL: MUSH                                              LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8144](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8144-2023-06-07), registration cancelled 2023-06-07, S/N 405, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BULLEN BEDE 4
- Registry model: [Bede BD-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bede-bd-4) (registry code 1130512) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Colo Sprgs Muni

## 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 19800530017649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800530017649A), May 30, 1980: Amtrbd BEDEBD4, Colorado Spring, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit on takeoff due to water in fuel. Tried to land on airport. Too slow. High sink rate, crashed.

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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