Bonde TF-51D N267B

Summary

On 5 October 2008 at about 16:53 local time, a Bonde TF-51D registered N267B, operated by Gregory Jaspers, was involved in an accident near Sandy Valley, Nevada, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 October 2008 at 16:53

Classification

Accident

Location

Sandy Valley, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Sky Ranch Airport (3L2)

Coordinates

35.7950, -115.6272

Aircraft

Bonde TF-51D

Registration

N267B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Gregory Jaspers

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sandy Valley → Sandy Valley

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR09LA004

1 person died.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.