# NTSB FTW92DPD01: Eichblatt X-5, N99747, Fort Worth, TX, April 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1992, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Fort Worth, TX
- Coordinates: 32.910079, -97.429611 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9101&lon=-97.4296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92DPD01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23405/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92DPD01

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND AN INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - emergency
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT AFTER THE ENGINE RPM STARTED TO FLUCTUATE AND THE ENGINE WAS SURGING. AS THE AIRPLANE ENTERED THE DOWNWIND LEG, A 30 DEGREE NOSE UP ATTITUDE WAS OBSERVED AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE AIRPLANE FOR LANDING. CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A LEFT SPIN, IMPACTING IN AN OPEN FIELD ADJACENT TO THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99747](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99747-1992-08-26), registration cancelled 1992-08-26, S/N 77001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EICHBLATT X-5
- Registry model: [Eichblatt X-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/eichblatt-x-5) (registry code 0565367) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 77-001
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290G 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: W.J Cowan/D.L Newton/S. Potter
- Registered owner: W.J Cowan/D.L Newton/S. Potter
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1992

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 912 total, 1 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Observed at: FTW, 5 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 19920419010319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920419010319A), Apr 19, 1992: Amtr X5, Ft Worth, TX, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Reported engine back firing and surging. Nosed up to slow on downwind for landing. Stall spin ensued. No recovery.

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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