# NTSB FTW94LA201: Gamble BD-4, N76DG, Leadville, CO, June 17, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1994, 09:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Leadville, CO
- Coordinates: 39.239356, -106.290939 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2394&lon=-106.2909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19090
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19090/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA201

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS WERE AN UNRELIABLE AIRSPEED INDICATOR AND EXCESSIVE LANDING APPROACH AIRSPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - unreliable
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR 'NEVER INDICATED AS MUCH AS 75 MILES PER HOUR' AND, AS A RESULT, THE LANDING APPROACH WAS MADE WITH EXCESSIVE SPEED. THE PILOT SAID AFTER THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN, IT STARTED SWERVING AND HE OVER-CONTROLLED. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, WENT DOWN A SMALL HILL, STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT, AND NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On June 17, 1994, approximately 0940 mountain daylight time, N76DG, a Gamble BD-4, was substantially damaged during landing at Leadville, Colorado.  The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The following is based on the pilot/operator report.  The pilot said the airspeed indicator "never indicated as much as 75 miles per hour" and, as a result, the landing approach was made with excessive speed.  He stated that after the airplane touched down, it started swerving and he over-controlled.  The airplane went off the right side of the runway, down a small hill, struck an embankment, and nosed over.

The following is based on written witness statements, including a telephone interview with the Leadville Airport manager.  This was the first flight of the homebuilt airplane.  The pilot took off on runway 34, climbed to about 1,500 to 2,000 feet AGL, and circled the airport four or five times.  The landing approach was too low and the pilot had to carry power.  The airplane touched down, veered off the right side of the runway, and nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76DG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76DG-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 1, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GAMBLE BD-4
- Registry model: [Gamble Don BD-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/gamble-don-bd-4) (registry code 11304A4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Engines: LYCOMING reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Gamble, Donald
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: LXV, Lake County, runway 34, 5,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LXV

## 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 19940617015589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940617015589A), Jun 17, 1994: Amtrbd BEDEBD4, Leadville, CO, Substantial damage. Landed fast swerved and overcontrolled. Exited runway down a hill. Nosed over. Airspeed indicator unreliable.

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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