# NTSB FTW96LA270: American AG5B, N227ER, Longmont, CO, June 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 23, 1996, 20:45 local (Jun 24, 1996, 02:45 UTC) - Place: Longmont, CO - Coordinates: 40.170364, -105.210586 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1704&lon=-105.2106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19878 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA270 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19878/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA270 ## Probable cause An inadvertent stall spin. Factors were the pilot's intentional maneuver at an altitude insufficient to ensure a safe recovery, and overconfidence in his personal ability. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - maneuver - intentional, pilot in command - ostentatious display, pilot in command - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - residential area ## Analysis According to the passenger, the pilot said the 'impossible turn' was not impossible and that he would demonstrate. The pilot pulled back the throttle and made a 20 degree left bank without lowering the nose. The airplane stalled and 'porpoised' to the ground. According to the pilot, at an altitude between 700 and 900 feet agl, he reduced power 'a few hundred' rpm to simulate a power loss, and lowered the nose. The stall warning sounded and the airplane entered a right spin. The pilot was able to recover, but the airplane entered a left spin. The pilot was again able to stop the spin, but the airplane 'wobbled' and collided with terrain. ## Factual narrative On June 23, 1996, at 2045 mountain daylight time, an American General AG5B, N227ER, was destroyed while maneuvering at Longmont, Colorado. The private pilot and student pilot rated-passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The following is based on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report. The pilot said he departed on runway 29 and climbed at 85 kias (knots indicated airspeed), then lowered the nose and continued climbing at 65 kias. At 700 feet agl (above ground level), he reduced engine power by "a few hundred" rpm to simulate a partial power loss and lowered the nose. The stall warning sounded and he lowered the nose further and "possibly" increased power. The airplane entered a right spin and the pilot was able to recover at an estimated altitude between 200 and 300 feet agl. The airplane immediately entered a left spin. The pilot was again able to stop the spin, then the airplane collided with terrain. According to the student pilot-rated passenger, the pilot told him the "impossible turn" was not impossible and that he would demonstrate. As the airplane climbed through 700 feet agl, the pilot pulled back the throttle and made a 20 degree left bank without lowering the nose. The airplane stalled and "porpoised" to the ground. Numerous ground witnesses reported seeing the airplane spinning before impact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N227ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N227ER-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 10114, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: American AG5B - Registry model: [American General Acft AG5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-general-acft-ag5b) (registry code 3990100) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10114 - Airframe hours: 1160 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frederick S. Dunlap - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1996, 13 hours before - Departed: 2V2 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 230 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 290° at 10 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BJC, 19 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 19960624014879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960624014879A), Jun 24, 1996: Amrgen AG5B, Boulder, CO, No damage. No narrative available 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.