# NTSB NYC87DNC09: Dubois Beta Bird, N3954D, Biddeford, ME, July 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1987, 19:15 local (Jul 16, 1987, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Biddeford, ME
- Location: 43.4641° N, 70.4724° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BIDDEFORD MUNI (B19), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4641&lon=-70.4724&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87DNC09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30455/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87DNC09

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS IN HIS HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT.  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOST AFTER IT TOUCHED DOWN DURING A LANDING.  SUBSEQUENTLY, IT SWERVED OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, WENT IN AN AREA OF TALL GRASS & HIT A DITCH, WHICH SHEARED OFF THE LANDING GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3954D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3954D-1991-04-24), registration cancelled 1991-04-24, S/N 153 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DUBOIS BETA BIRD
- Registry model: [Dubois Daniel A BETA BIRD](https://openairdocs.org/model/dubois-daniel-a-beta-bird) (registry code 056134Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: Volkswagen 1600CC reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel A. Dubois
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1987, 1 hours before
- Departed: 6B1
- Airport: B19, Biddeford Muni, runway 6, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 170 total, 45 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19870715043639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870715043639A), Jul 15, 1987: Biddeford, ME, Substantial damage. Lost control landing homebuilt in a slight crosswind. Veered off runway into tall grass and struck a hidden ditch.

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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