# NTSB FTW91FA089: Steen Skybolt JW5, N124J, Grand Prairie, TX, June 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1991, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Grand Prairie, TX
- Coordinates: 32.689903, -97.009391 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6899&lon=-97.0094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23265
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91FA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23265/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA089

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM REFUELING AND MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ABOVE VS (STALL). A FACTOR WAS UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE EXPERIMENTAL BI-PLANE DEPARTED THE AIRPORT FOR A SHORT PERSONAL FLIGHT AND DID NOT REFUEL HIS AIRCRAFT. A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED AS THE AIRCRAFT FLEW OVER A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND HIGH TENSION POWER LINES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED SLOWLY DESCENDING TOWARD A FIELD. WITNESSES REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT'S WINGS WOBBLED, THE NOSE DROPPED, AND THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL. A FEW OUNCES OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE MAIN FUEL TANK AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE FUEL PUMPS WERE TESTED AND WERE FUNCTIONAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N124J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N124J-2013-06-06), registration cancelled 2013-06-06, S/N 5, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STEEN SKYBOLT JW5
- Registry model: [Williams John B SKYBOLT JW-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/williams-john-b-skybolt-jw-5) (registry code 05655DH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 5
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-CIC 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dudley P. Bittel
- Registered owner: Dudley P. Bittel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,994 total, 168 in this make and model, 1,701 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19910602018449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910602018449A), Jun 2, 1991: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Grand Prairie, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Ran out of fuel on local flight. Stalled clearing wires on turnback to airport. Not equipped with a fuel gauge.

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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