# NTSB MIA85LLD03: Brokaw Bullet, N520BJ, Eustis, FL, September 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1985, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Eustis, FL
- Coordinates: 28.85003, -81.679092 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8500&lon=-81.6791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LLD03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LLD03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED A DITCH DURING AN ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF ON A TAXIWAY. THE PLT REPORTEDLY DECIDED TO USE THE TAXIWAY FOR TAKEOFF RATHER THAN THE RWY BECAUSE OF THE SOFT RWY CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED FROM RECENT RAINS. DURING TAKEOFF THE LEFTMAIN GEAR CONTACTED SOFT TERRAIN AND THE ACFT VEERED LEFT OFF THE TAXIWAY. THE PLT THEN INITIATED RETRACTION OF THE LANDING GEAR AND APPLIED BACK PRESSURE IN AN ATTEMPT TO BECOME AIRBORNE. HOWEVER, THE ACFT CONTINUED OFF THE TAXIWAY WHERE IT CONTACTED A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N520BJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N520BJ-2011-04-26), registration cancelled 2011-04-26, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BROKAW BULLET
- Registry model: [Brokaw BJ-520](https://openairdocs.org/model/brokaw-bj-520) (registry code 0562280) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 1098
- Engines: LYCOMING JO-540 380 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bergon Brokaw
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1985, 38 hours before
- Destination: LEE, LEESBURG, FL
- Airport: Midflorida

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 9,884 total, 1,098 in this make and model, 8,296 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19850914045039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850914045039A), Sep 14, 1985: Amtrbj BJ520, Eustis, FL, Substantial damage. During takeoff roll, left main wheel caught in soft ground. Gear retracted and aircraft slid into ditch.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.