# NTSB DEN92LA029: Warfield BD-4, N689W, Englewood, CO, February 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1992, 08:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.579284, -104.859153 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5793&lon=-104.8592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18193
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18193/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA029

## Probable cause

IMPROPER VR SPEED USED, CAUSING AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH.  A FACTOR WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN AIRCRAFT MAKE AND MODEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vr) - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT FOR THE AMATEUR HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT WAS SEEN TO USE ABOUT 6975 FEET OF THE 10,001 FOOT RUNWAY BEFORE LIFTING OFF. THE PILOT SAID HE ROTATED AND CLIMBED OUT AT 67 MPH. THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND THE RIGHT WING DROPPED.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO 'MUSH' THE AIRPLANE ONTO THE GROUND.  TOWER CONTROLLERS SAID THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF IN AN EXTREME NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE AND APPEARED TO STALL.  PILOTS FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPLANE SAID THE AIRPLANE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ROTATED BETWEEN 80-85 MPH IAS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N689W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N689W-1992-02-26), registration cancelled 1992-02-26, S/N 689 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WARFIELD BD-4
- Registry model: [Warfield BEDE 4](https://openairdocs.org/model/warfield-bede-4) (registry code 1130475) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 689
- Airframe hours: 8
- Engines: FORD V-6/3.8 LITRE 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Warfield, Robert W.
- Registered owner: Warfield, Robert W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1991, 8 hours before
- Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 17, 10,001 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 464 total, 417 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 27 °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 19920201001509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920201001509A), Feb 1, 1992: Amtrbd BEDEBD4, Denver, CO, Destroyed. On test flight made nose high,premature liftoff after long run. Stalled and hit dirt near runway. Cartwheeled.

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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