# NTSB SEA84FA090: Bowen-Powell BP-1, N123BP, Minden, NV, April 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1984, 17:32 local (Apr 19, 1984, 01:32 UTC)
- Place: Minden, NV
- Coordinates: 39.009822, -119.750328 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0098&lon=-119.7503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39801
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84FA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39801/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA090

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT ENTER A RIGHT TURN AT ABOUT 1000 TO 1500 FT AGL. THE TURN STEEPENED INTO A TIGHT SPIRAL, & SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PLT WAS WEARING A PARACHUTE & BAILED OUT; HOWEVER, THE PARACHUTE BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE ACFT & PULLED THE PLT TO THE GROUND. THE RIGHT AILERON WAS FOUND ABOUT 1000 FT NE OF THE MAIN WRECKAGE. THE WINGS WERE COMPLETELY SHATTERED DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE WINGS & AILERONS HAD BEEN REBUILT ON 5/30/82 AFTER THE ACFT HAD SUSTAINED DAMAGE. A SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE HAD BEEN ISSUED ON 10/3/83 FOR 25 HRS OF FLT TIME OR 1 YEAR. THE ACFT HAD A TOTAL FLT TIME OF 15 HRS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - flight control,aileron attachment - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - flight control,aileron attachment - separation
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: N123BP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOWEN-POWELL BP-1
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: BP-1
- Airframe hours: 15
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-125-2 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert D. Powell
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 3, 1983, 15 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,000 total, 9 in this make and model, 140 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 23 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 29 nm away

## 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 19840418016169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840418016169A), Apr 18, 1984: Amtr BP1, Minden, NV, Destroyed. Rear spar at right aileron attachment failed in a stall test. Pilot got out but parachute lines caught in empennage

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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