# NTSB DEN83FTG01: Stolp SA750, N25873, Harwood, ND, June 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1983, 20:50 local (Jun 23, 1983, 01:50 UTC)
- Place: Harwood, ND
- Coordinates: 46.979187, -96.869186 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9792&lon=-96.8692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FTG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16017/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FTG01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall/spin - not corrected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN INVERTED POSITION IN ABOUT A 30 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED DOING AEROBATICS WITH THE LAST MANEUVER A SPIN. THE ACFT SPUN TO AN OUT OF SIGHT POSITION BEHIND THE TREES AND A CRASH WAS HEARD. THE CFI ON THIS FLT HAD BEEN KNOWN TO PERFORM AEROBATICS IN THIS ACFT AND TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO DO THEM. THE PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION ON THE DAY OF THE FLT HAD BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR AN INSTRUMENT RATING CHECK RIDE. ONE PILOT WHO HAD FLOWN WITH THIS CFI SAID LIMITED AEROBATICS HAD BEEN PERFORMED WITH HIM BUT THE CFI PERFORMED AT A POOR PROFICIENCY LEVEL DURING AEROBATICS. A NOTED AEROBATIC PILOT WHO HAD FLOWN THIS ACFT SAID IT SPUN RELATIVELY FLAT. HE STATED THAT WITHOUT TRAINING MOST PROFESSIONAL AEROBATIC PILOTS WERE UNABLE TO RECOGNIZE EITHER THE DIRECTION OR PROPER PROCEDURE FOR RECOVERY FROM AN INVERTED FLAT SPIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25873](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25873-2009-07-15), registration cancelled 2009-07-15, S/N 1, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STOLP SA750
- Registry model: [Mueller ACRODUSTER SA750](https://openairdocs.org/model/mueller-acroduster-sa750) (registry code 8660505) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 131
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Duncan Neil Dickson
- Registered owner: Dakota Acro Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1983, 10 hours before
- Departed: FAR, FARGO, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,280 total, 5 in this make and model, 5,280 as pilot in command, 305 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR, 7 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 19830622026439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830622026439A), Jun 22, 1983: Amtrso ACRODUSTER2, Harwood, ND, Substantial damage. Pilots practicing aerobatics were observed by witnesses spinning into 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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