# NTSB LAX81FVA58: Bede BD-4, N117CP, Chowchilla, CA, August 19, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: August 19, 1981
- Place: Chowchilla, CA · CHOWCHILLA, CA
- Location: 37.1161° N, 120.2420° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chowchilla, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1161&lon=-120.2420&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVA58
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVA58

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2320  81/8/19  NR.CHOWCHILLA,CA      BEDE BD-4           CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 61, 5000
        TIME - 1315                    N117CP              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 106 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CHOWCHILLA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          VACAVILLE,CA                CORONA,CA                    PORTERVILLE,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N117CP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N117CP-1989-12-19), registration cancelled 1989-12-19, S/N 117 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEDE BD-4
- Registry model: [Ponsness BEDE BD-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/ponsness-bede-bd-4) (registry code 1130474) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Chowchilla

## 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 19810819050519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810819050519A), Aug 19, 1981: Amtrbd BEDEBD4, Chowchilla, CA, Substantial damage. Engine went to idle en route. Overturned landing in plowed field. Everything checked normal. Incident closed. Cause

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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