Loss of Control in Flight · NTSB CHI08LA123
DICKENSON BATHTUB — Broadhead, WI
| Date | May 5, 2008 |
| Location | Broadhead, WI |
| Aircraft | DICKENSON BATHTUB (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Approach-VFR pattern final Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 77 |
| Pilot total time | 1,400 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | 1 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
What happened
The airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a loss of control on final approach to land. The flight was the pilot's first flight in the airplane. A witness reported seeing the airplane as it turned from a left base leg of the airport traffic pattern to final approach. The witness reported that the airplane's bank angle increased during the turn to correct for wind drift. It then stalled and entered a spin. Another witness also reported that he believed the accident was the result of a stall/spin. Neither witness reported hearing any engine malfunctions. No preimpact mechanical deficiencies were found with the airplane.