# NTSB FTW84FA297: Stephens AKRO-MASTER, N67HB, Killeen, TX, July 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1984, 14:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Killeen, TX
- Coordinates: 31.11038, -97.729255 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1104&lon=-97.7293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21133
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA297
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21133/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA297

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft handling - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND FOLLOWING A LOW ALT AEROBATIC MANEUVER WHILE PARTICIPATING IN AN AIRSHOW. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT ENTERED A SNAP ROLL AT ABOUT 800 FT AGL, MADE ONE COMPLETE REVOLUTION IN ABOUT A 20-45 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, ENTERED A SECOND SNAP ROLL FOR ABOUT 3/4 REVOLUTION AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT. AN AUTOPSY AND TOXICOLOGY STUDY OF THE PLT WERE NEGATIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67HB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67HB-1989-03-08), registration cancelled 1989-03-08, S/N HB111 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STEPHENS AKRO-MASTER (AKRO-MASTE)
- Registry model: [Buce Horace W STEPHENS ACRO](https://openairdocs.org/model/buce-horace-w-stephens-acro) (registry code 0566217) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: HB-111
- Airframe hours: 96
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-350C1 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Horace W. Buce
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1984, 26 hours before
- Departed: ILE, KILLEEN, TX
- Airport: ILE, Killeen Muni, runway 1, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,296 total, 96 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 14 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRK, 2 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 19840701028079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840701028079A), Jul 1, 1984: Amtrss STEPHENSAKRO, Killeen, TX, Destroyed. Low altitude recovery from snap roll, high rate of descent, accelerated stall trying to pull up. Impacted 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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