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NTSB Report
August 19, 1991 · Fisher FT101 · N52KP
Sparta, MI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 19, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Sparta, MI
Aircraft
Fisher FT101
Tail Number
N52KP
Operator
Keneth Porritt
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI91DEM08
THE SINGLE ENGINE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE SAT OUTSIDE DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM ACCORDING TO A WITNESS. THE STORM PASSED BY AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE. A WITNESS STATED HE OBSERVED THE PILOT SIT IN THE AIRPLANE RUNNING THE ENGINE FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES BEFORE TAKEOFF. DURING CLIMBOUT THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE CEASED OPERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 150 TO 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. STATEMENT FROM WITNESSES CONFLICT WITH EACH OTHER. TWO STATED THE ENGINE GRADUALLY LOST POWER, ONE STATED THE ENGINE STOPPED AFTER SOUNDING LIKE IT HAD A FOULED SPARKPLUG. THE PILOT STATED THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO WATER IN THE FUEL TANK. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT DUE TO OBSTRUCTIONS WHICH WERE IN HIS EMERGENCY LANDING DESCENT PATH. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO STALL AND SPIN UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND. AN ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT NO FUEL EXISTED IN THE AIRPLANES FUEL TANK OR CARBURETOR FLOAT BOWL.
NTSB Probable Cause
AN IMPROPER PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE PILOT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE INADEQUATE ALTITUDE FOR THE TURN BACK TOWARDS THE RUNWAY AND THE STALL/SPIN ENCOUNTERED BY THE PILOT.
Full Narrative
THE SINGLE ENGINE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE SAT OUTSIDE DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM ACCORDING TO A WITNESS. THE STORM PASSED BY AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE. A WITNESS STATED HE OBSERVED THE PILOT SIT IN THE AIRPLANE RUNNING THE ENGINE FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES BEFORE TAKEOFF. DURING CLIMBOUT THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE CEASED OPERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 150 TO 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. STATEMENT FROM WITNESSES CONFLICT WITH EACH OTHER. TWO STATED THE ENGINE GRADUALLY LOST POWER, ONE STATED THE ENGINE STOPPED AFTER SOUNDING LIKE IT HAD A FOULED SPARKPLUG. THE PILOT STATED THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO WATER IN THE FUEL TANK. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT DUE TO OBSTRUCTIONS WHICH WERE IN HIS EMERGENCY LANDING DESCENT PATH. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO STALL AND SPIN UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND. AN ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT NO FUEL EXISTED IN THE AIRPLANES FUEL TANK OR CARBURETOR FLOAT BOWL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:46 EDT
Nearest AirportWilderness (0nm N)
Runway9
Runway Length2615 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftFisher FT101
Tail NumberN52KP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKeneth Porritt
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsKawasaki · TA440A-F204 · Reciprocating · 40
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 72 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT