# NTSB LAX87DVM02: Bowers Flybaby 1A, N792JB, San Luis Obispo, CA, March 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1987, 15:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: San Luis Obispo, CA
- Coordinates: 35.249343, -120.619247 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2493&lon=-120.6192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25347
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DVM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25347/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DVM02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLT IN AN EXPERIMENTAL ACFT, DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE ENG SPUTTERED, HOWEVER, THE PLT CONTINUED THE FLT. AFTER TAKEOFF AT APRX 30 FT THE ENG SPUTTERED AGAIN. THE PLT MADE A SHARP 45 DEG TURN WHICH PUT HIM ON DOWNWIND, HOWEVER, THE ACFT WAS KEPT IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. AT APRX 300 FT THE ENG SPUTTERED AGAIN THEN QUIT. THE LEFT WING DROPPED AND THE ACFT COMPLETED ONE TURN AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A 70 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N792JB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N792JB-2013-03-26), registration cancelled 2013-03-26, S/N 67-48, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOWERS FLYBABY 1A
- Registry model: [Bowers Fly Baby 1-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bowers-fly-baby-1-a) (registry code 14121LB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 67-48
- Airframe hours: 1138
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A75-8 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Weir, Kurt
- Registered owner: Kurt Weir
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 20, 1987, 2 hours before

## 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: front; flight hours: 219 total, 30 in this make and model, 151 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19870331007919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870331007919A), Mar 31, 1987: Amtrbw FLYBABY1, San Luis Obispo, CA, Substantial damage. The engine lost power on downwind leg. The aircraft entered a spin and hit the ground. Suspect fuel exhaustion.

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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