# NTSB MIA99LA124: Bean Whitman W-10, N173RS, Wimauma, FL, April 12, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 12, 1999, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Wimauma, FL - Coordinates: 27.709259, -82.300056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7093&lon=-82.3001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46071 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46071/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA124 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout during a forced landing resulting in an in-flight collision with a ditch and subsequent nose over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - fuselage - vibration - Forced landing, descent - normal - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal - terrain condition - ditch - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot was in cruise flight when the airframe experienced a vibration of undetermined origin. The pilot made a forced landing to an open field and collided with a previously observed ditch, and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. ## Factual narrative On April 12, 1999, about 0945 eastern daylight time, a Whitman Tailwind W-10, N173RS, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed during a forced landing in the vicinity of Wimauma, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and private pilot passenger reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Lakeland, Florida, about 15 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated she was in cruise flight at 1,000 feet when the airplane experienced an airframe vibration. She reduced power with negative results, and a forced landing was selected. During final approach she observed a ditch which crossed the forced landing area. She added power to miss the ditch however, the main landing gear collided with the ditch. The airplane continued forward, nosed over, and rotated to the left 90 degrees, and came to rest inverted. The source of the reported airframe vibration was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N173RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N173RS-2001-03-16), registration cancelled 2001-03-16, S/N 001032028RS (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bean WHITMAN W-10 (WHITMAN W-) - Registry model: [Bean Robert E WITTMAN TAILWIND W10](https://openairdocs.org/model/bean-robert-e-wittman-tailwind-w10) (registry code 05605S6) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001032028RS - Airframe hours: 58 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sarah L. Bean - Registered owner: Robert Bean - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 3, 1999, 8 hours before - Departed: LAL, LAKELAND, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 305 total, 43 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LAL, 35 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 19990412003269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990412003269A), Apr 12, 1999: Amtr WITTAILW10, Wimauma, FL, Substantial damage. Acft was in an air race when it developed severe engine vibrations, the pilot made an emergency landing, the acft struck a ditch, and the acft flipped over,… ## Other investigations on N173RS (1) 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 MIA98LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA180), Jun 8, 1998: Robert E. Bean Wittman Tailwind W10 (N173RS), Daytona Beach, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's poorly planned approach for not planning the intended touchdown point farther down the runway to avoid an area of known turbulence caused by terrain. Contributing to the accident was the… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.