# NTSB FTW88DRG13: Bingelis T-40, N187T, Georgetown, TX, September 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1988, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Georgetown, TX
- Location: 30.6327° N, 97.6772° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Georgetown, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6327&lon=-97.6772&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRG13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22518/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRG13

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF AN AIRCRAFT THAT HE HAD NEVER FLOWN BEFORE, AS WELL AS, HIS INABILITY TO APPLY REMEDIAL ACTION AS REQUIRED FOR THE FLIGHT REGIME.

## 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
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE 70 YR OLD PLT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A TURF RWY ON HIS FIRST FLT IN THE HOME BUILT ACFT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT WENT OUT OF CONTROL & IMPACTED TERRAIN NEXT TO THE RWY. THE WOODEN ACFT WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED BY IMPACT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE ACFT, ENG OR CONTROL SYSTEMS WAS FOUND. WITNESSES RPRTD THE ACFT LIFTED OFF BEFORE IT WAS READY TO FLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N187T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N187T-1994-12-21), registration cancelled 1994-12-21, S/N 145 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BINGELIS T-40
- Registry model: [Bingelis T-40](https://openairdocs.org/model/bingelis-t-40) (registry code 0560836) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 145
- Airframe hours: 351
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henry C. Martin
- Registered owner: Frank W. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 1, 1987, 2 hours before
- Departed: 77T
- Destination: TIT
- Airport: 77T, Kittie Hill, runway 25, 3,250 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,801 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °F

## 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 19880924040079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880924040079A), Sep 24, 1988: Amtrtr TURNERT40, Leander, TX, Destroyed. Became airborne on a bump on takeoff. Power surges pilot lost control dragged wing and cartwheeled. Throttle factor

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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