# NTSB NYC91DNC01: Skytek Skyseeker MK II, Chapman, ME, October 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1990, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Chapman, ME
- Location: 46.6481° N, 68.1609° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chapman, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6481&lon=-68.1609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36762
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91DNC01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36762/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91DNC01

## Probable cause

IN-FLIGHT FAILURE OF THE OUTBOARD SECTION OF THE WING, AND THE LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. DUE TO THE UNAUTHORIZED STRUCTURAL MODIFICATION BY THE PILOT/OWNER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,bracing wire - disconnected (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - failure,total (cause)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED 'BOBBING UP AND DOWN' AS THE PILOT PERFORMED MANEUVERS DURING THE LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY HEARD A BANG AND SAW THE OUTBOARD SECTION OF THE RIGHT WING FOLD UP BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND. THE NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT/AIRCRAFT OWNER HAD PERFORMED AN UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATION TO THE WING STRUCTURE OF THE TWO-SEATER ULTRA-LIGHT AIRCRAFT. THE MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THEY HAD ADVISED AGAINST THE MODIFICATION AS IT WAS CONSIDERED UNSAFE AND WOULD WEAKEN THE STRUCTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Skytek SKYSEEKER MK II (SKYSEEKER)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC 001324
- Airframe hours: 500
- Engines: BOMBARDIER ROTEX MODEL 54 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Granville F. Robbins, Jr.
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 13, 1990, 2 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; student; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAR, 18 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.