# NTSB MIA96LA080: Berkshire Concept 70, N29BW, Boynton Beach, FL, February 20, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1996, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Boynton Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.749622, -80.929183 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7496&lon=-80.9292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA080

## Probable cause

an engine loss of power and fire for undetermined reasons.

## Analysis

The pilot stated that during cruise the engine began to lose power and then quit. He then observed flames. Unsure if he would be able to land the plane he banked the motor glider right, ejected the canopy, released the seatbelt and bailed out. The aircraft entered a flat spin and collided with the ground. The wreckage burned.

## Factual narrative

On February 20, 1996, about 1245 eastern standard time, N29BW, a Berkshire Manufacturing Corporation, Concept 70, registered to a private owner crashed in Boynton Beach, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was destroyed and the airline transport-rated pilot reported no injuries. The airplane departed Lantana Airpark, Lantana, Florida, about 30 minutes earlier.

The pilot stated that while in cruise flight at 1,100 feet the engine quit and he observed flames. He then bailed out using his parachute, landing without injury. The airplane descended uncontrolled and crashed in a remote area.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - powerplant - fire
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - bail-out/emergency ejection - performed, pilot in command

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29BW-1996-03-28), registration cancelled 1996-03-28, S/N 14 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Berkshire CONCEPT 70
- Registry model: [Berkshire Mfg. CONCEPT 70](https://openairdocs.org/model/berkshire-mfg-concept-70) (registry code 1240104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 14
- Airframe hours: 900
- Engines: ROTAX 447 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce E. Case
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1995, 105 hours before
- Departed: LNA, LANTANA, FL
- Airport: LNA, Lantana/County Park, runway 9, 3,488 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,200 total, 150 in this make and model, 4,330 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PMP

## 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 19960220002219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960220002219A), Feb 20, 1996: Amtr CONCEPT70, West Palm Beach, FL, Destroyed. Aircraft had inflight fire and pilot bailed out with a parachute, crashed in a remote area. (.4)the pilot stated that during cruise the engine began to lose…

## Other investigations on N29BW (2)

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.

- [NTSB MIA93LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA150), Jul 4, 1993: Berkshire Concept 70 (N29BW), Boynton Beach, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND THE LACK OF ADEQUATE THERMAL LIFT.
- [NTSB MIA7LDKG11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA7LDKG11), Aug 19, 1975: Berkshire C70 (N29BW), Cordele, GA, substantial damage

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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