# NTSB MKC90LA116: Rollins-Bowers FLY Baby 1A, N3204, Bemidji, MN, May 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1990, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Bemidji, MN
- Coordinates: 47.480358, -94.869728 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4804&lon=-94.8697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34987/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA116

## Probable cause

THE WING ATTACHMENT BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED RESULTING IN INFLIGHT WING SEPARATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - wing,wing attachment bolt - missing (cause)
  - wing - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE HOMEBUILT ACFT, CRASHED INTO TREES. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ABSENCE OF THE RIGHT WING RETAINING PINS. THE WRECKAGE PATTERN INDICATED THAT THE RIGHT WING HAD SEPARATED IN FLIGHT, WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FUEL SUPPLY SHORTAGE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3204](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3204-1990-12-29), registration cancelled 1990-12-29, S/N 1R (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROLLINS-BOWERS FLY BABY 1A (FLY BABY 1)
- Registry model: [Rollins-Bowers FLY BABY 1-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rollins-bowers-fly-baby-1-a) (registry code 14121UE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1R
- Airframe hours: 895
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Heitzinger, Ronald
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1989

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 100 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJI, 8 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 19900529017769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900529017769A), May 29, 1990: Amtrbw FLYBABY1, Bemidji, MN, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Right wing folded on takeoff climb. Homebuilt crashed into trees. Right wing retaining pins were absent.

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.