# NTSB LAX92LA381: Warren-Thomas BD-5J, N45DH, Chico, CA, September 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1992, 13:52 local (20:52 UTC)
- Place: Chico, CA
- Location: 39.7834° N, 121.8479° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from CHICO RGNL (CIC), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7834&lon=-121.8479&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27759
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA381
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27759/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA381

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE AEROBATIC MANEUVER RECOVERY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - open field
  - aerobatics - initiated, pilot in command
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS NEARING COMPLETION OF AN AEROBATICS DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT AT AN AIR SHOW. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE PILOT PERFORM A 'SPLIT S' MANEUVER, DURING WHICH TIME THE EXPERIMENTAL MICRO JET  WAS ROLLED INVERTED TO A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.  THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED FROM THE ENTRY PORTION OF THE MANEUVER IN A WINGS LEVEL DIVE TO ABOUT A 60 TO 70 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND.  A VIDEO TAPE TAKEN BY A SPECTATOR SHOWS THAT THE AIRPLANE'S ATTITUDE DID NOT CHANGE PRIOR TO IMPACT.  THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45DH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45DH-1993-03-03), registration cancelled 1993-03-03, S/N 13 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WARREN-THOMAS BD-5J
- Registry model: [Warren-Thomas BD-5J](https://openairdocs.org/model/warren-thomas-bd-5j) (registry code 11307B7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 13B
- Airframe hours: 238
- Engines: MICROTURBO TRS-18-046 220 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Hoover, David
- Registered owner: Airborne Technology Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1992, 28 hours before
- Airport: CIC, Chico

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 26,500 total, 238 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CIC, 1 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 19920912036359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920912036359A), Sep 12, 1992: Amtrbd BEDEBD5J, Chico, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Dived into ground after a split s maneuver. Appeared to be in position for a pullout but failed to do so.

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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