# NTSB MKC90DCQ01: Daniels BD-4, N31481, Wichita, KS, April 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1990, 15:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Wichita, KS
- Coordinates: 37.650409, -97.429595 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6504&lon=-97.4296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34867
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90DCQ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34867/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90DCQ01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN RESULTING IN COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

## 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
  - stall/spin - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES SAID THAT THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT A SLOW SPEED ABOUT 40 TO 80 FEET AGL, SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ACFT THEN PITCHED NOSE DOWN AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31481](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31481-1990-11-14), registration cancelled 1990-11-14, S/N 539 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DANIELS BD-4
- Registry model: [Daniels BD-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/daniels-bd-4) (registry code 1130430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 539
- Engines: LYCOMING O36-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Martin Wallace E.
- Registered owner: Wallace Eugene Martin
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1990, 2 hours before
- Departed: 71K, WICHITA, KS
- Destination: 71K, WICHITA, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,800 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 20 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ICT, 3 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 19900413008849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900413008849A), Apr 13, 1990: Amtrbd BEDEBD4, Wichita, KS, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control in low altitude slow flite after takeoff. Stalled and impacted hard. Had recently purchased aircraft.

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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