# NTSB NYC83FNE04: Bede BD-5B, N83SK, Westfield, MA, July 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1983, 13:27 local (17:27 UTC)
- Place: Westfield, MA
- Location: 42.1579° N, 72.7159° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WESTFIELD-BARNES RGNL (BAF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1579&lon=-72.7159&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35121
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FNE04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35121/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FNE04

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - improper (cause)
  - communications - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (cause)
  - instructions,written/verbal - inaccurate, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (contributing factor)
  - control tower service - inadequate, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED SHORT OF THE RWY DURING AN ATTEMPTED LANDING. THERE WERE SOME CONFUSING AND GARBLED TRANSMISSIONS AND SOME MISTAKEN INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE TOWER DURING THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY THE ACCIDENT PLT. THIS PLT DID NOT MAKE IT CLEAR THAT HE HAD AN EMERGENCY BUT HE DID ASK FOR IMMEDIATE LANDING DUE TO A PROBLEM. HIS ENGINE WAS HEARD OPERATING AT ALTERNATING HIGH AND LOW LEVELS. HIS ACFT HAD A HISTORY OF OVERHEATING AND IT ALSO HAD AN IMPROPER PROPELLER INSTALLED. A NEW PROPELLER WAS ON ORDER. ACCORDING TO GREAT AMERICAN PROPELLER CO, THE PROPELLER INSTALLED ON THE ACFT DID NOT HAVEENOUGH BLADE AREA FOR THE AIRFRAME/ENGINE COMBINATION. THIS COMBINATION COULD CAUSE ENFORCED MODERATE APPLICATION OF THROTTLE AND AT FULL THROTTLE AND LOW AIRSPEEDS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE RPM AND PROBABLE CAVITATION AND LOSS OF THRUST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83SK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83SK-1984-02-22), registration cancelled 1984-02-22, S/N 3037 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bede Aircraft BD-5B
- Registry model: [Haas Paul R JR BD-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/haas-paul-r-jr-bd-5b) (registry code 11307J1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3037
- Airframe hours: 14
- Engines: HONDA EB 96 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul R. Haas, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 10, 1983, 14 hours before
- Departed: BAF, WESTFIELD, MA
- Destination: BAF, WESTFIELD, MA
- Airport: BAF, Barnes Municipal, runway 33, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 156 total, 13 in this make and model, 113 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BAF

## 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 19830710029779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830710029779A), Jul 10, 1983: Amtrbd BEDEBD5, Westfield, MA, Substantial damage. Struck trees on final. Tower did not note pilots emergency call. Had prop and engine cooling problem known by pilot

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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