# NTSB NYC89LA194: MBB ME 209, N209AA, Chatham, MA, August 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1989, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Chatham, MA
- Location: 41.6739° N, 69.9629° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chatham, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6739&lon=-69.9629&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36461
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36461/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA194

## Probable cause

THE PILOT STALLED THE AIRCRAFT WHILE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE HAZE AND THE PILOT APPLIED POWER TOO LATE TO ARREST THE AIRPLANE'S SINK RATE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, check pilot (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING A BFR FLIGHT, THE CFI CALLED FOR A SHORT FIELD LANDING AT CHATHAM, MASSACHUSETTS. AT THE TIME OF THE APPROACH THERE WAS HAZE AND POOR VISIBILITY. THE CFI STATED, '...WE WERE GETTING LOW BUT STILL OK. THE AIRCRAFT GOT TO A FLAT APPROACH WITH NOSE HIGH AND GETTING BEHIND THE POWER CURVE ... BOTH THE PILOT AND I REACTED TOO LATE FOR THIS PARTICULAR AIRPLANE TO RECOVER ALTITUDE.' THE AIRPLANE MUSHED INTO TREE TOPS. THE NOSE WHEEL CAUGHT ON A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND THE AIRPLANE ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N209AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N209AA-1990-07-17), registration cancelled 1990-07-17, S/N 121 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MBB ME 209
- Registry model: [Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BO 209 MONSUN](https://openairdocs.org/model/messerschmitt-bolkow-blohm-bo-209-monsun) (registry code 5626007) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 121
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walter W. Kenyon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1988, 100 hours before
- Departed: OB6, CHATHAM, MA
- Airport: OB6, Chatham, runway 24, 3,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,789 total, 1 in this make and model, 1,597 as pilot in command, 257 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890812028829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890812028829A), Aug 12, 1989: Bolkms BO209150FF, Chatham, MA, Substantial damage. Too low and high sink rate on final struck trees and a fence.

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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