# NTSB LAX93LA100: Wohlers Steen Skybolt, N8LW, Fountain Hills, AZ, January 23, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1993, 17:30 local (Jan 23, 1993, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Fountain Hills, AZ
- Location: 33.6078° N, 111.7384° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fountain Hills, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6078&lon=-111.7384&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27909
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27909/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA100

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INITIATION OF A LOW LEVEL AEROBATIC MANEUVER AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT TO ENSURE ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

FIVE WITNESSES WERE ON A BLUFF OVER LOOKING THE CREEK BED WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THEY OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT PERFORMING LOW LEVEL AEROBATICS OVER THE CREEK BED AT AN ALTITUDE THEY ESTIMATED TO BE BETWEEN 100 AND 300 FEET AGL. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A RIGHT AILERON ROLL AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE PRIOR TO RECOVERY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8LW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8LW-1996-10-17), registration cancelled 1996-10-17, S/N 01 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WOHLERS STEEN SKYBOLT (STEEN SKYB)
- Registry model: [Wohlers STEEN SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/wohlers-steen-skybolt) (registry code 0565527) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 01
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph P. Cormier
- Registered owner: Alan A. Tautkus
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Destination: FFZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SDL, 20 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 19930122000719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930122000719A), Jan 22, 1993: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Fountain Hills, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control after entering a aileron roll. Impacted ground inverted. Acrobatic performed 100 to 300 feet AGL.

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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