# NTSB SEA84FA178: Sperling BD-4, N78JC, Henderson, NV, July 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1984, 10:47 local (17:47 UTC)
- Place: Henderson, NV
- Coordinates: 36.03997, -114.929023 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0400&lon=-114.9290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84FA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39818/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA178

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED OBSERVING THE ACFT DEPART TO THE SSW TOWARD THE MOUNTAINS. THE ACFT MADE A SERIES OF TURNS AND BANKS TO AVOID A GROUP OF THUNDERSTORM CELLS (AIR MASS THUNDERSTORMS) IN A DIRECTION OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 15. THE ACFT WAS REPORTED TO HAVE MADE SEVERAL TURNS AWAY FROM THE 'WORST' PART OF THE RAIN SHOWERS. ALL THE WITNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT 'JUST PITCHED DOWN AND WENT INTO THE GROUND.' THE THUNDERSTORM CELLS WERE NOT REPORTED ON THE 1750Z LAS VEGAS, NV, FSS SURFACE ANALYSIS WEATHER OBSERVATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78JC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78JC-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 638, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SPERLING BD-4
- Registry model: [Sperling BD-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/sperling-bd-4) (registry code 1130466) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 638
- Airframe hours: 60
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John C. Kimerly
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1983, 60 hours before
- Destination: CORONA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total, 60 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 7 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 19840721033719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840721033719A), Jul 21, 1984: Amtrbd BEDEBD4, Henderson, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control in turbulence from a nearby thunderstorm. Dived into ground in a vertical banked attitude.

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.