# NTSB LAX83FA419: Eaa Biplane A-1, N369Y, Mesa, AZ, September 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1983, 07:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.440872, -111.849838 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4409&lon=-111.8498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23500
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA419
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23500/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA419

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED PERFORMING 2 OR 3 CONSECUTIVE LOOPS AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 1,000 FT. FOLLOWING THE LAST LOOP, THEACFT PULLED UP TO A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE, STALLED, SLID STRAIGHT DOWN & ENTERED A SPIN. THE ENG WAS HEARD RUNNING IN AN APPARENT NORMAL MANNER PRIOR TO THE STALL. NO ENG SOUNDS WERE HEARD DURING THE SPIN & THE PROP WAS OBSERVED NOT ROTATING BEFORE IMPACT. THE ENG WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN INVERTED FUEL SYSTEM. THE ACFT WAS PROHIBITED FROM AEROBATIC FLT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE PLT HAD EVER RECEIVED ANY AEROBATIC INSTRUCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N369Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EAA BIPLANE A-1
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: PM-14372
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rodney J. Benedict
- Registered owner: Richard H., Vergene Farrington
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 15, 1983

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 227 total, 4 in this make and model, 198 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIG, 6 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 19830903045699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830903045699A), Sep 3, 1983: Amtrea EAABIPLANE*, Mesa, CA, Destroyed. Stalled and spun to the ground while performing acrobatics at 1000 ft AGL. Non acrobatic aircraft and pilot.

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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