# NTSB MIA87FA220: Buccaneer XA-430, N910DW, Lk Buena Vista, FL, August 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1987, 13:14 local (17:14 UTC)
- Place: Lk Buena Vista, FL
- Coordinates: 28.370176, -81.550979 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3702&lon=-81.5510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31774
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31774/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA220

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,wing attachment fitting - failure,total (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wing,wing attachment fitting - overload (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE THE ACFT WAS FLYING AT AN EST 800 TO 1000 FT. PERSONS ON THE GRND HEARD A BANG, THEN LOOKED UP AND SAW THE ACFT IN A SPIN TO THE RT WITH THE RT WING FOLDED BACK OVER THE FUSELAGE. THE ACFT HIT THE GRND IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. TWO WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT DOING LOOPS JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT IS PROHIBITED FROM DOING AEROBATICS. THE PLT HAD BEEN WARNED BY ANOTHER AEROBATIC PLT NOT TO PERFORM AEROBATICS ON ANOTHER OCCASION. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE RT WING ATTACH SHACKLE HAD FAILED IN OVERLOAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N910DW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N910DW-1991-09-10), registration cancelled 1991-09-10, S/N B000A266447 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BUCCANEER XA-430
- Registry model: [Walt Disney World DISNEY BUCCANEER](https://openairdocs.org/model/walt-disney-world-disney-buccaneer) (registry code 056124C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: B000A226447
- Airframe hours: 273
- Engines: ROTAX 447 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Walt Disney World Co.
- Registered owner: Walt Disney World Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 16, 1987

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 689 total, 214 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCO, 14 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 19870801040299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870801040299A), Aug 1, 1987: Amtrad BUCCANEER, Lake Buena Vist, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. A wing failed while the pilot was performing exhibition acrobatics. The craft was placarded non acrobatic.

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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