# NTSB FTW90DRG02: Thompson Baker BOB-CAT, N60RT, New Braunfels, TX, January 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1990, 10:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: New Braunfels, TX
- Coordinates: 29.70066, -98.111 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7007&lon=-98.1110&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 November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22993
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DRG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22993/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DRG02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED DURING AN EMERGENCY DESCENT FOR A FORCED LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AT 200 FEET AGL AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT FROM TAKEOFF POWER, 6,500 RPM, TO IDLE. DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT THE PILOT INITIATED A 15 DEGREE LEFT BANK TO STEER TOWARD A CLEARING. THIS RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AT APPROXIMATELY 150 TO 175 FEET AGL. GROUND IMPACT OCCURRED SLIGHTLY NOSE LOW, WINGS LEVEL. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES, A FENCE, AND A DITCH, BEFORE IT CAME TO REST. ENGINE DISASSEMBLY FAILED TO REVEAL A CAUSE FOR THE POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60RT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60RT-1990-09-04), registration cancelled 1990-09-04, S/N 382436 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: THOMPSON BAKER BOB-CAT (BAKER BOB-)
- Registry model: [Thompson Ralph O THOM-CAT](https://openairdocs.org/model/thompson-ralph-o-thom-cat) (registry code 05616CG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 382436
- Airframe hours: 46
- Engines: ROTAX 377 37 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph O. Thompson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 14, 1989, 46 hours before
- Airport: Hilltop Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,500 total, 45 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RND, 8 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 19900129001329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900129001329A), Jan 29, 1990: Amtr BOBCAT1, New Braunfels, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff climb. Stalled and crashed into a fence while trying to return to airport.

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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