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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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July 22, 1992 · Hauser William C Cassutt · N881

Winn, MI

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 1992
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Winn, MI
Aircraft
Hauser William C Cassutt
Tail Number
N881
Operator
Phillip C Pettyjohn
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI92DEM04

DURING A FLIGHT IN PREPARATION FOR AN AIR RACE THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE CEASED OPERATION DURING CRUISE. THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING IN A BEAN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DITCH THE PILOT HAD NOT OBSERVED PRIOR TO THE LANDING. THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ENGINE WAS MODIFIED AND WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A STARTER, FUEL BOOST PUMP, OR ENGINE PRIMER. THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL TANK CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY THREE GALLONS OF AUTO FUEL. THE IGNITION SPARK LEADS HAD WATER CONTAMINATION ON THEM AT THE MAGNETO ATTACH POINT. CORROSION WAS OBSERVED ON THE MAGNETO HARNESS BLOCK AND DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK SPRING. THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES WERE AUTOMOTIVE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE DITCH THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED DURING THE LANDING ROLL PHASE OF A FORCED LANDING.

Full Narrative

DURING A FLIGHT IN PREPARATION FOR AN AIR RACE THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE CEASED OPERATION DURING CRUISE. THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING IN A BEAN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DITCH THE PILOT HAD NOT OBSERVED PRIOR TO THE LANDING. THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ENGINE WAS MODIFIED AND WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A STARTER, FUEL BOOST PUMP, OR ENGINE PRIMER. THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL TANK CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY THREE GALLONS OF AUTO FUEL. THE IGNITION SPARK LEADS HAD WATER CONTAMINATION ON THEM AT THE MAGNETO ATTACH POINT. CORROSION WAS OBSERVED ON THE MAGNETO HARNESS BLOCK AND DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK SPRING. THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES WERE AUTOMOTIVE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHauser William C Cassutt
Tail NumberN881
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPhillip C Pettyjohn
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data