# NTSB LAX83FVA01: Eagle DW-1, N88126, Near Bakersfiel, CA, October 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1982, 14:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Near Bakersfiel, CA
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71845
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FVA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71845/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FVA01

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application
  - flt control syst,wing spoiler system - movement restricted (contributing factor)
  - flt control syst,wing spoiler system - undetermined (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - spoiler retraction - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A TURN-AROUND WHILE SPRAYING A COTTON FIELD, THE AIRCRAFT STARTED ROLLING TO THE LEFT AND THE PILOT COULD NOT STOP IT. HE STATED THE LEFT SPOILER REMAINED DEPLOYED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. HE FOUGHT THE ROLL UNTIL IT IMPACTED WITH THE GROUND. THE LEFT SPOILER WAS FOUND IN THE VERTICAL POSITION AND THE RIGHT SPOILER WAS FLUSH WITH THE WING SURFACE. DUE TO POOR ROLL RATE AND HIGH ASPECT RATIO, SPOILERS HAD BEEN ADDED TO THE LOWER WING. THEY CAN BE INDEPENDENTLY OPERATED FROM THE COCKPIT OR WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AILERONS. ACCORDING TO AN FAA ENGINEERING TEST PLT, THE SPOILERS HAVE LIMITED AUTHORITY, AND IF ONE IS MANUALLY DEPLOYED TO THE FULL UP POSITION IT CAN BE OVER- RIDDEN WITH OPPOSITE AILERON. THE PLT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD OR FOURTH TIME A SPOILER HAD STUCK OPEN. THE WING WAS CUT OPEN AND NO REASON FOR THE SPOILERS STICKING COULD BE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N88126 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EAGLE DW-1
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: DW1007982
- Airframe hours: 8951
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-M185D 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Eagle Aircraft Co.
- Registered owner: Eagle Aircraft Co.
- Departed: SHATER, CA
- Destination: SHATER, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,600 total, 75 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19821014054799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821014054799A), Oct 14, 1982: Eagle DW1, Bakersfield, CA, Destroyed. Spoiler stuck open during procedure turn. Pilot unable to avoid crash.

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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