# NTSB FTW95LA026: George Spacewalker 1, N64BG, Mountain View, OK, October 23, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1994, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Mountain View, OK
- Coordinates: 35.090171, -98.749519 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0902&lon=-98.7495&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 May 9, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19289
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19289/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA026

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM REQUIRED AIRSPEED FOR FLIGHT.

## 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
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A WITNESS REPORTED TO A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) INSPECTOR, THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE TURNED BACK TOWARDS THE RUNWAY, THE RIGHT WING DROPPED AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE WITNESS FURTHER REPORTED THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING SLOW AND 'WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED.' ACCORDING TO THE FAA INSPECTOR, THE RIGHT WING WAS SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE, AND THE WOODEN PROPELLER WAS 'SHATTERED.' THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN FREELY DUE TO REAR CASE/MAGNETO DAMAGE; HOWEVER, THE CRANKSHAFT, RODS, AND PISTON ASSEMBLIES HAD CONTINUITY. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT OPERATOR REPORT, THE PILOT HAD THE PROPELLER 'REPITCHED', AND DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT 'IT DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE THE THRUST IT SHOULD HAVE.'

## Factual narrative

On October 23, 1994, at 1530 central daylight time, an experimental Spacewalker 1, N64BG, was substantially damaged while maneuvering after takeoff at a private airstrip near Mountain View, Oklahoma.  The student certificated pilot was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight.

A witness reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, that shortly after takeoff, the airplane turned back towards the runway, the right wing dropped and the airplane impacted the ground.  The witness further reported the airplane was flying slow and "would not pick up speed."

The FAA inspector reported the following information.  The  airplane came to rest 21 feet from the initial ground scar.  The right wing was separated from the airplane, and the wooden propeller was "shattered."  The engine would not turn freely due to rear case/magneto damage; however, the crankshaft, rods, and piston assemblies had continuity.

According to the pilot operator report, the pilot had the propeller "repitched", and during the accident flight "it did not seem to have the thrust it should have."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64BG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64BG-2012-03-06), registration cancelled 2012-03-06, S/N 1, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GEORGE SPACEWALKER 1 (SPACEWALKE)
- Registry model: [Barton George SPACEWALKER 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/barton-george-spacewalker-1) (registry code 05620AM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 7
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George, Barton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1994, 2 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE, OK
- Airport: NONE, Georges, runway 17, 2,000 × 70 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 15 total, 6 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19941023035349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941023035349A), Oct 23, 1994: Amtr SPACEWALKER1, Mountain View, OK, Substantial damage. Poor performance on climbout to test repitched prop. Turned back. Stalled.

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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