# NTSB LAX86FUM04: Steen Skybolt UNK, N64596, Chula Vista, CA, September 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1986, 12:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Chula Vista, CA
- Coordinates: 33.149494, -117.280395 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1495&lon=-117.2804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24957
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FUM04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24957/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FUM04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN TO THE INVERTED POSITION. WHEN OBSERVED A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE AIRCRAFT WAS RIGHT SIDE UP IN A SHALLOW SPIN. THE AIRCRAFT REMAINED IN THIS POSITION UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO SIGN OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS OR AROUND THE WRECKAGE SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64596](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64596-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N 585528489, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STEEN SKYBOLT UNK
- Registry model: [Massegee SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/massegee-skybolt) (registry code 05655C5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 585528489
- Airframe hours: 347
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E185-8 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Barry N. Westman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1985, 38 hours before
- Departed: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: SEE, EL CAJON, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 40 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SDM, 3 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 19860902042989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860902042989A), Sep 2, 1986: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Chula Vista, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft entered a spin from a rolling maneuver. No attempt at recovery was observed.

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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