# NTSB MIA89FA158: Bryan Zenith CH-300, N80WB, Niceville, FL, May 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1989, 15:39 local (20:39 UTC)
- Place: Niceville, FL
- Coordinates: 30.5295, -86.479835 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5295&lon=-86.4798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32292
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89FA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32292/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA158

## Probable cause

PILOTS INCAPACITATION BY A HEART ATTACK RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE DESCENDING OUT OF CONTROL AND COLLIDING WITH TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

PILOT SUFFERED HEART ATTACK SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE RESULTING IN HIS INCAPACITATION. THE AIRPLANE THEN DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL RESULTING IN COLLISION WITH TREES AND THE FROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80WB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80WB-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 3-499, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRYAN ZENITH CH-300 (ZENITH CH-)
- Registry model: [Bryan William A JR ZENITH CH-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/bryan-william-a-jr-zenith-ch-300) (registry code 0564955) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 125](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-125) (registry code 41507, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3-499
- Airframe hours: 975
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William M. Hilbun, III
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1989, 1 hours before
- Airport: FL17, Ruckel, runway 18, 3,300 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,350 total, 975 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VPS, 5 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 19890526012889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890526012889A), May 26, 1989: Amtrlt ZENITH, Niceville, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft stalled on climbout. Descended wings vertical and nose high into trees. Pilot had severe cardiac disease.

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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