# NTSB NYC86FGM06: Kenneth Patsch FLY Baby II, Franklin Center, PA, July 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1986, 20:00 local (Jul 28, 1986, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Franklin Center, PA
- Coordinates: 42.130184, -80.139663 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1302&lon=-80.1397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FGM06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FGM06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - flight control,aileron - movement restricted
  - flight control,aileron - undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT BANKED EXCESSIVELY DURING THE LEFT TURN FROM BASE TO FINAL. OPPOSITE CONTROL INPUT WAS APPLIED, HOWEVER, THE PLT REPORTED THE 'STICK SEEMED TO HAVE NO RIGHT MOVEMENT.' FULL POWER WAS APPLIED BUT THE BANK STEEPENED SO POWER WAS REMOVED. CONTROL INPUT WAS ATTEMPTED AGAIN AND THIS TIME THE ACFT YAWED 80 DEGREES RIGHT AND THE LEFT WING LIFTED 45 DEGREES. THE ACFT THEN CONTINUED IN THE DESCENT TO GROUND IMPACT. THE PLT SUGGESTED THAT DUE TO REDUCED SPACE IN THE FRONT COCKPIT, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER MAY HAVE RESTRICTED THE CONTROL MOVEMENT. FLIGHT CONTROL CONTINUITY COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO THE EXTENT OF IMPACT DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N14OP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: KENNETH PATSCH FLY BABY II (FLY BABY I)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 53
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas Kolb
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 1985
- Departed: PAINESVILLE, OH
- Airport: Franklin Center, runway 27, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 159 total, 17 in this make and model, 105 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ERI, 10 nm away

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.