# NTSB SEA91LA108: Lee Bede BD-4, N17127, Elma, WA, May 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1991, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Elma, WA
- Coordinates: 47.100078, -123.390197 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1001&lon=-123.3902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA108

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED.  FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  PROPER ALIGNMENT WAS NOT MAINTAINED, INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION, AND THE PILOT DID NOT IDENTIFY A STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - not identified, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS 50 FEET HIGH.  THE PILOT MADE S TURNS TO DECREASE ALTITUDE AND REPORTED THAT WHEN HE MADE THE LEFT TURN, THE LEFT WING WOULD NOT COME UP WITH AILERON CONTROL. INSTEAD OF APPLYING FULL POWER TO GO AROUND, THE PILOT OPTED TO COLLIDE WITH THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY.  THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS FOUND DURING THE POST CRASH INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17127](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17127-2018-02-13), registration cancelled 2018-02-13, S/N 614 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LEE BEDE BD-4
- Registry model: [Moots-Elmer BD-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/moots-elmer-bd-4) (registry code 1130488) (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: 614
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elmer E. Moots
- Registered owner: Elmer E. Moots
- Departed: OLM, OLYMPIA, WA
- Airport: WA22, Elma, runway 24, 2,280 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; flight hours: 795 total, 687 in this make and model, 795 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19910516016229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910516016229A), May 16, 1991: Amtrbd BEDEBD4, Elma, WA, Substantial damage. Stalled on short final. Impacted in bushes adjacent to runway.

## Other investigations on N17127 (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA79FYM69](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FYM69), Sep 27, 1979: Moots BD-4 (N17127), Battle Ground, WA, substantial damage

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.