# NTSB MIA90FA091: Wohlers Steen/Skybolt, N98LW, Quincy, FL, March 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1990, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Quincy, FL
- Coordinates: 30.580108, -84.579856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5801&lon=-84.5799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90FA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA091

## Probable cause

INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PILOT ENTERED RIGHT DOWNWIND FROM A MID FIELD CROSSING. HALF WAY THROUGH THE RIGHT TURN TO DOWNWIND, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED AN INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL. WITNESSES STATED THE ENGINE APPEARED TO LOSE POWER, THEN THE AIRPLANE PITCHED OVER ABOUT 45 DEGREES, AND REMAINED IN THAT ATTITUDE UNTIL COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTIONS OF THE AIRPLANE OR ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98LW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98LW-1990-12-15), registration cancelled 1990-12-15, S/N 02 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WOHLERS STEEN/SKYBOLT (STEEN/SKYB)
- Registry model: [Wohlers SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/wohlers-skybolt) (registry code 05655F7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 02
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vincent Vaughn & Jeff Vickers
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1990, 25 hours before
- Departed: TLH, TALLAHASSEE, FL
- Airport: 2J9, Quincy Muni, runway 32, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,350 total, 20 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 17 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 19900317004579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900317004579A), Mar 17, 1990: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Quincy, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled and impacted on airport while circling to land. Witnesses reported power loss prior stall. No defects found

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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