# NTSB SEA93LA109: Rainey Aero Phaeton, N54BR, Mead, WA, May 17, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1993, 18:15 local (May 17, 1993, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Mead, WA
- Coordinates: 47.830997, -117.210426 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8310&lon=-117.2104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43023
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43023/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA109

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADVERTENTLY ENTERING A STALL CONDITION. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS GUSTS.

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A GUST WHICH ROLLED THE AIRCRAFT LEFT. DURING HIS RECOVERY HE WAS 'CAUGHT IMMEDIATELY BY A SECOND WIND GUST CAUSING OF COURSE THE PORT WING TO STALL, SENDING THE PLANE INTO A HALF SPIN.' THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER PRIOR TO THE AIRCRAFT'S IMPACTING TREES/TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54BR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54BR-1996-02-09), registration cancelled 1996-02-09, S/N 8843080 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAINEY AERO PHAETON (AERO PHAET)
- Registry model: [Rainey William H AERO PHAETON](https://openairdocs.org/model/rainey-william-h-aero-phaeton) (registry code 05655T7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 884-3080
- Airframe hours: 423
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-80-8F 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ross, John A.
- Registered owner: Ross, John A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 1992, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 346 total, 9 in this make and model, 287 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SFF, 6 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 19930516018779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930516018779A), May 16, 1993: Mead, WA, Substantial damage. Lost control and stalled on initial climbout. Blamed wind gust. Non in area. Held glider rating only.

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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