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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 6, 1994 · Johnson A-4 · N1730H

Laporte, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 6, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Laporte, IN
Aircraft
Johnson A-4
Tail Number
N1730H
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI95LA006

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH ABOUT 200 FEET, HE NOTICED THAT HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN HIS CLIMB RATE. HE NOTICED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE MADE A 'NEAR STALL, 90 DEGREE RIGHT TURN' AND CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING IN A SMALL FIELD. A WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE AND APPEARED TO BE FLYING CLOSE TO A STALL. HE SAID THE PLANE 'APPARENTLY HIT NOSE AND RIGHT WING FIRST.' FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTORS, WHO EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE, REPORTED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION. INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM, MAGNETO, ENGINE, AND CARBURETOR REVEALED NO ANOMALIES.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadvertant stall of the airplane while conducting a forced landing. A factor was the engine failure which occurred for an undetermined reason.

Full Narrative

On October 6, 1994, at 1609 central daylight time, an experimental Johnson A-4, N1730H, was destroyed following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip in LaPorte, Indiana. The private pilot sustained serious injury. The planned destination for the personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight was Michigan City, Indiana. No flight plan was filed. In his written statement, the pilot reported that while climbing through about 200 feet, he noticed that he could not maintain his climb rate. He noticed a loss of engine power. He made a "near stall, 90 degree right turn" and conducted a forced landing in a small field. According to an aircraft accident report completed by the LaPorte County Police Department, the pilot said he "attempted to make an emergency landing in the field but did not have enough airspeed to maneuver properly." The brother of the pilot, a witness to the accident, reported that the airplane reached a maximum height of about 150 feet. It began losing altitude and appeared to be flying close to a stall. He said the plane "apparently hit nose and right wing first." Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspectors, who examined the wreckage, reported no evidence of preimpact malfunction. The fuel tank and strainer contained fuel. Both blades of the wood propellor were fractured from the hub. The magneto was operationally checked and functioned normally. Inspection of the fuel system, engine, and carburetor revealed no anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:09 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftJohnson A-4
Tail NumberN1730H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · H · Reciprocating · 55
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data