# NTSB MKC84FA225: Bobby Wayne Watkins Mini Coupe, N937BW, Nashville, AR, July 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1984, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Nashville, AR
- Coordinates: 33.940174, -93.850654 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9402&lon=-93.8507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33540
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33540/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA225

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - qualification, pilot in command
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE BUILDER/OWNER/PLT HAD FLOWN THE HOME BUILT ACFT FOR ABOUT 10 MINS ON ITS 1ST TEST FLT WHICH WAS MADE A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ON THIRD FLT, HE TOOK OFF ON RWY 01, CLIMBED STRAIGHT-OUT FOR AWHILE, MADE A LEFT TURN TO X-WIND LEG & STARTED A DOWNWIND TURN AT APRX 600 FT AGL. AT ABOUT THAT POINT, THE ACFT ENTERED A SPIN, MADE APRX 3 TURNS & IMPACTED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE PLT HAD A STUDENT LICENSE & WAS ENDORSED FOR SOLO FLT IN CESSNA 150 ACFT. THE DENSITY ALT WAS APRX 2500 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N937BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N937BW-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N MC143, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOBBY WAYNE WATKINS MINI COUPE
- Registry model: [Watkins Bobby W MINI-COUPE](https://openairdocs.org/model/watkins-bobby-w-mini-coupe) (registry code 0565438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: MC143
- Engines: Volkswagen 1700 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Bobby Wayne Watkins
- Registered owner: Bobby W. Watkins
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: M77, NASHVILLE, AR
- Airport: M77, Howard County, runway 1, 3,700 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 93 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TXK, 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 19840721033749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840721033749A), Jul 21, 1984: Amtrct MINICOUPE, Nashville, AR, Destroyed. Student pilot with ten minutes flying time in homebuilt aircraft stalled on climbout. Entered flat spiln to ground.

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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