# NTSB MIA88FA008: Extra Flugzeugbau 230, N230WF, Arcadia, FL, October 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1987, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Arcadia, FL
- Location: 27.2212° N, 81.8584° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Arcadia, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2212&lon=-81.8584&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31988
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31988/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA008

## 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 - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS PERFORMING EXHIBITION AEROBATICS AT AN AIRSHOW. THE ACFT HAD JUST COMPLETED A PORTION OF THE PLANNED LOW ALT AEROBATIC SEQUENCE WHICH INCLUDED A TAIL SLIDE & 3 ROLLS WITH THE NOSE OF THE ACFT POINTED TOWARD THE GROUND AT A 45 DEG ANGLE. WITNESSES STATED THAT AFTER THE TAIL SLIDE, THE ACFT COMPLETED 4 ROLLS INSTEAD OF THE PLANNED 3, & THAT THE NOSE WAS POINTED TOWARD THE GROUND AT ABOUT A 60 DEG ANGLE INSTEAD OF THE PLANNED 45 DEG ANGLE. AFTER RECOVERY FROM THE 4TH ROLL, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ATTEMPT TO PULL OUT OF THE LOW ALT DIVE AT ABOUT 100 FT. THE NOSE WAS OBSERVED TO RISE, BUT THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND BEFORE RECOVERY COULD BE AFFECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N230WF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N230WF-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Extra Flugzeugbau 230
- Registry model: [Extra Walter EA 230](https://openairdocs.org/model/extra-walter-ea-230) (registry code 05613LX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 006
- Airframe hours: 279
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360A1E 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Thomas W. Fuller
- Registered owner: Thomas W Fuller
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1987, 79 hours before
- Airport: 92FL, Carlstorm

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,900 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 37 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 19871017059839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871017059839A), Oct 17, 1987: Amtrew EA230, Arcadia, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Unable to recover from rolls at low altitude. Had no waiver for type or altitude. No FAA monitor at airshow.

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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