# NTSB MKC86FCA01: Bede BD-5B, N548BD, Cape Girardeau, MO, October 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1985, 10:13 local (15:13 UTC)
- Place: Cape Girardeau, MO
- Coordinates: 37.339122, -89.570571 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3391&lon=-89.5706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34080
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FCA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34080/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FCA01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb
  - ignition system,high tension wiring - disconnected (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE OWNER/BUILDER HAD HIRED THE PLT TO TEST FLY THE ACFT ON ITS INITIAL FLT. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT TRANSMITTED THAT HE HAD AN ENG PROBLEM. HE WAS CLEARED FOR AN IMMEDIATE LANDING & ENTERED A DOWNWIND FOR RWY 28. AS HE CONTINUED & WAS TURNING FROM A BASE TO FINAL APCH, THE ACFT ENTERED A SPIN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE ACFT IMPACTED ON THE EDGE OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHILE IN A STEEP NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #1 CYCLINDER SPARK PLUG WIRE WAS COMPLETELY DETACHED; THE #2 CYLINDER WIRE WAS DETACHED FROM THE SPARK PLUG (ALTHO ITS DUST BOOT WAS STILL CONNECTED); & THE #4 SPARK PLUG WIRE DUST BOOT SHOWED EVIDENCE OF HAVING COME IN CONTACT WITH AN ADJACENT EXHAUST STACK & WAS BURNED UNTIL THERE WAS SEPARATION AT THE BOOT'S MIDPOINT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N548BD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N548BD-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N 548 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bede Aircraft BD-5B
- Registry model: [Crowe John T BEDE 5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/crowe-john-t-bede-5b) (registry code 11307K6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 548
- Engines: HONDA E2B 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Dr. John T. Growe
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 1985, 0 hours before
- Departed: CGI
- Destination: CGI
- Airport: CGI, Cape Girardeau Muni, runway 28, 6,499 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 450 total, 40 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CGI, 43 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 19851026056289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851026056289A), Oct 26, 1985: Amtrbd BEDEBD5B, Cape Girardeau, MO, Destroyed. Engine failure on test flight. Entered spin and impacted ground. Ignition leads loose. Pilot consumed alcohol.

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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