# NTSB LAX82FUQ08: Bede BD-5B, N381JH, Mojave, CA, January 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1982, 08:16 local (16:16 UTC)
- Place: Mojave, CA
- Coordinates: 35.069828, -118.179222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0698&lon=-118.1792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71740
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FUQ08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71740/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FUQ08

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF THE AMATEUR BUILT BEDE-5 ENTERED LEFT TRAFFIC AND CIRCLED THE AIRPORT ONCE AT 700 TO 1000 FEET AGL. DURING THE SECOND 180 DEGREE TURN FROM THE DOWNWIND LEG TO THE RUNWAY HEADING A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE BANK ANGLE SUDDENLY INCREASED AND THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT DROPPED RESULTING IN A NEARLY VERTICAL DESCENT TO THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE SHORT OF RUNWAY 07. EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND ATTACHMENTS REVEALED NO SIGNS OF PREIMPACT DISCREPANCIES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N381JH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bede Aircraft BD-5B
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3553
- Airframe hours: 3
- Engines: KAWASAKI 1000CC 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: J. P. Handleson
- Registered owner: J. P. Handleson
- Departed: MHV, MOJAVE, CA
- Destination: MHV, MOJAVE, CA
- Airport: MHV, Mojane, runway 7, 5,920 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,855 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,680 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles

## 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 19820117002019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820117002019A), Jan 17, 1982: Amtrbd BEDEBD5B, Mojave, CA, Destroyed. Dived into ground while circling over airport. Reason unknown. No mechanical defects found.

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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