# NTSB WPR09LA004: Bonde TF-51D, N267B, Sandy Valley, NV, October 5, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 5, 2008, 09:53 local (16:53 UTC) - Place: Sandy Valley, NV - Coordinates: 35.794998, -115.62722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7950&lon=-115.6272&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69226 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69226/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA004 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to land, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention while attempting to extend the landing gear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bonde Robert L BONDE TF 51D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=056145H), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bonde Robert L BONDE TF 51D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=056145H), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Bonde Robert L BONDE TF 51D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=056145H), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bonde Robert L BONDE TF 51D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056145H), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Bonde Robert L BONDE TF 51D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=056145H), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bonde Robert L BONDE TF 51D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056145H), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to multiple witnesses, the pilot was unable to extend the left main landing gear after departure and conducted a series of low approaches over the runway while talking via radio to people located on the ground. After conducting six passes over the runway, the pilot was able to extend the left main landing gear about two-thirds of the way down. The pilot continued to circle the airport within the traffic pattern as the witnesses located on the ground advised him to "slip the airplane to the left then right." Witnesses reported that while the airplane was on downwind for the runway at an altitude of about 400-500 feet above ground level, the airplane "appeared to enter a slip" followed by an immediate roll to the right into a nose-low attitude, and then descended into terrain. Examination of the airframe and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the left main landing gear not extending was undetermined. ## Factual narrative On October 5, 2008, about 0953 Pacific daylight time, an amateur built Bonde TF 51D experimental airplane, N267B, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near the Sky Ranch Airport (3L2), Sandy Valley, Nevada. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was killed. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The local flight originated from 3L2 at 0930. According to multiple witnesses located at 3L2, the pilot was unable to extend the left main landing gear after departure and conducted a series of low approaches over the runway while talking via radio to people located on the ground. After conducting six passes over the runway, the pilot was able to extend the left main landing gear about two-thirds the way down. The pilot continued to circle the airport within the traffic pattern as the witnesses located at the airport advised him to "slip the airplane to the left then right." Witnesses reported that while the airplane was on downwind for runway 21 at an altitude of about 400-500 feet above ground level (agl), the airplane "appeared to enter a slip" followed by an immediate roll to the right into a nose low attitude and descended into terrain. Witnesses further reported that it was the accident pilot's first flight in the airplane, which he had just recently purchased. The witnesses added that radio communications with the pilot was "hampered by the loudness of the engine." Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane impacted level open desert terrain about 0.5 miles from 3L2. All primary flight controls were accounted for at the accident site. The left and right wing leading edges were crushed aft. The forward portion of the fuselage was heavily damaged. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to all primary flight controls. Examination of the airframe and engine by the FAA inspector revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the left main landing gear not extending was undetermined. The Clark County Coroner's Office conducted an autopsy on the pilot on October 6, 2008. The medical examiner determined that the cause of death was “…multiple blunt force injuries.” The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on the pilot. According to CAMI's report, carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs were tested, and had negative results. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N267B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N267B-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 018, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bonde TF-51D - Registry model: [Bonde Robert L BONDE TF 51D](https://openairdocs.org/model/bonde-robert-l-bonde-tf-51d) (registry code 056145H) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 018 - Airframe hours: 25 - Engines: Chevy 350 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gregory Jaspers - Registered owner: Robert Bonde - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 1, 2008 - Departed: 3L2, Sandy Valley, NV - Destination: 3L2, Sandy Valley, NV - Airport: 3L2, Sky Ranch Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: fatal; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 29, 2008; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,400 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: LAS, 28 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 20081005847909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081005847909A), Oct 5, 2008: BONDETF51D, Sandy Valley, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) [privacy data omitted] and an associate [privacy data omitted] had recently purchased the experimental amature built bonde TF-51D aircraft. This was to… 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.