# NTSB MIA96LA073: Gilpatrick Baby Lakes, N26BG, Deland, FL, January 27, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1996, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Deland, FL
- Coordinates: 29.050561, -81.310234 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0506&lon=-81.3102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37976
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37976/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA073

## Probable cause

The pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude, while on final approach to land, and his failure to attain the proper touchdown point for landing.  The unfavorable wind condition (crosswind) was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

The pilot stated he misjudged the wind, turned base leg, and noted that the airplane was not going to reach the end of the runway. He said he tried to stretch his glide, but before he could add power to stop the rate of descent, the airplane collided with the ground. Subsequently, the landing gear sheared off, and the airplane nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On January 27, 1996, about 1100 eastern standard time, a Gilpatrick experimental airplane, N26BG, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on landing at a private airport in the vicinity of Deland, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, about 1 hour 30 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated he misjudged the wind, turned base leg and noted he could not make the end of the runway, and tried to stretch his glide. Before he could add power to stop the rate of descent the airplane collided with the ground, sheared off the landing gear, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26BG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26BG-1998-02-12), registration cancelled 1998-02-12, S/N 8828M1020BB (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GILPATRICK BABY LAKES
- Registry model: [Gilpatrick Robert John BUDDY BABY LAKES](https://openairdocs.org/model/gilpatrick-robert-john-buddy-baby-lakes) (registry code 05626F1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 828-M-1020-B
- Airframe hours: 40
- Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert J. Gilpatrick
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 33J, NEW SMYRNA BCH, FL
- Destination: NONE
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: Lafayette Landings, runway 16, 3,200 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 487 total, 19 in this make and model, 384 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 9 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 10 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 19960127001099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960127001099A), Jan 27, 1996: Amtrof BABYLAKES, Deland, FL, Substantial damage. Misjudged wind landing at Private strip. Low. Tried stretch glide. Mushed into ground short. Nosed over.

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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