# NTSB MKC89DCG01: Grigg/Bowers Flybaby, N1305, West Plains, MO, May 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1989, 11:34 local (16:34 UTC)
- Place: West Plains, MO
- Coordinates: 36.739543, -91.859474 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7395&lon=-91.8595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34652
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89DCG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34652/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89DCG01

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AS HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A POWER TRANSMISSION LINE.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  RISING TERRAIN, TALL GRASS, TAILWIND, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - attempted, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD FLOWN ANOTHER ACFT FROM DIKE, IA TO JONESBORO, AR & HAD TRADED IT FOR N1305, WHICH HE WAS FLYING BACK TO DIKE. HE HAD PLANNED AN INTERMEDIATE STOP AT WEST PLAINS, MO. IN THE VICINITY OF WEST PLAINS, WITNESSES HEARD A POPPING SOUND FROM THE ENG. THE PLT LANDED IN A FLD OF KNEE HIGH GRASS NEAR WEST PLAINS. AFTER REPAIRING A REPORTED PROBLEM WITH A SCREW ON THE CARBURETOR, THE PLT ELECTED TO FLY THE ACFT OUT OF THE FIELD. HE INITIATED A TAKEOFF TO THE EAST ON SLIGHTLY RISING TERRAIN WITH A SLIGHT TAIL WIND. AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT GAINED LITTLE ALTITUDE BFR RCHG POWER LINES & ENTERED A SHARP TURN. IT THEN PITCHED DOWN & CRASHED. WITNESSES REPORTED THE WIND WAS GENTLE FM THE WEST, BUT MOVEMENT OF TREETOPS INDCD A STRONGER WIND ALOFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1305](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1305-2011-02-17), registration cancelled 2011-02-17, S/N 143, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRIGG/BOWERS FLYBABY
- Registry model: [Bowers Fly Baby 1-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bowers-fly-baby-1-a) (registry code 14121LB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 143
- Airframe hours: 1428
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: William L. Irwin
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1988, 12 hours before
- Destination: UNO, WEST PLAINS, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 993 total, 920 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SGF, 80 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 19890507015749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890507015749A), May 7, 1989: Amtrbw FLYBABY1, West Plains, MO, Destroyed. Landed to adjust carburetor in a field with tall grass. Takeoff impeded but lifted off and stalled avoiding wires.

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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