# NTSB DEN83FTM01: Bowers Flybaby 1A, N63498, Ephriam, UT, October 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1982, 13:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Ephriam, UT
- Coordinates: 39.350601, -111.569488 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3506&lon=-111.5695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70607
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FTM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70607/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FTM01

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - overload (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - wing - separation (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

APPROXIMATELY 4 FT OF THE INBOARD SECTION OF THE LEFT WING SEPARATED IN FLIGHT DURING AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT HAD BEEN PERFORMING LITTLE LOOPS & THEN IT WENT STRAIGHT UP & ROLLED OFF TO THE LEFT UPSIDE DOWN. IT THEN SPIRALLED ONCE OR TWICE, STRAIGHTENED OUT, MADE A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN & THEN THE WING FAILED. THE LATEST OPERATING LIMITATIONS FOR THE AMATEUR BUILT ACFT SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITS ANY INTENTIONAL AEROBATIC FLT MANEUVERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N63498 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOWERS FLYBABY 1A
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 64-10
- Airframe hours: 272
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harvey L. Miller
- Registered owner: Harvey L. Miller
- Departed: EPHRIAM, UT
- Destination: EPHRIAM, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 810 total, 10 in this make and model, 789 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19821016052949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821016052949A), Oct 16, 1982: Amtrbw FLYBABY1, Ephraim, UT, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed when a portion of the left wing separated during an aerobatic manover.

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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