# NTSB LAX85FA368: Duce Project Bakeng Duce, N113CP, St. Helena, CA, August 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1985, 18:35 local (Aug 25, 1985, 01:35 UTC)
- Place: St. Helena, CA
- Coordinates: 38.55059, -122.389602 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5506&lon=-122.3896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24529
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA368
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24529/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA368

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT HAD ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON THE PRIVATE RANCH AIRSTRIP AND A GO AROUND WAS PERFORMED. THE ACFT THEN REVERSED DIRECTION AND DESCENDED, STRIKING A 6 FOOT HIGH METAL FENCE POST BEFORE COMING TO REST. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY POST IMPACT FIRE. NO MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE. THE PLT, AN A&P MECHANIC, HAD PERFORMED MAINTENANCE ON THE ACFT AND WAS RETURNING IT TO THE OWNER WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N113CP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N113CP-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 11315, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DUCE PROJECT BAKENG DUCE (BAKENG DUC)
- Registry model: [Duce Project BAKENG DUCE](https://openairdocs.org/model/duce-project-bakeng-duce) (registry code 0565024) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 11315
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bob Lorimer
- Registered owner: Vaughn R. Gregory
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 203, ANGWIN, CA
- Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Airport: Inglenook Ranch, runway 11, 1,700 × 25 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850824040129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850824040129A), Aug 24, 1985: Amtrbg BAKENGDUCE, St Helena, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Made go around on long landing. Crashed making turns to reverse landing direction. Fuel system destroyed in fire.

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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