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NTSB Report
August 9, 1989 · Bratton RB-1 · N44516
Springfield, TN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Springfield, TN
Aircraft
Bratton RB-1
Tail Number
N44516
Operator
Clarence R Bratton
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89DLT05
ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT WAS FLYING THE MOTORIZED GLIDER AT ABOUT 200 TO 300 FT AGL. RPRTDLY, HE WAS SHUTTING OFF THE ENG, GLIDING FOR 30 TO 40 SEC, RESTARTING THE ENG, FLYING FOR A SHORT DISTANCE, THEN REPEATING THE PROCESS. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN THE ENG WAS WITHOUT POWER, IT ENTERED A STALL/SPIN, THEN HIT A TREE & A POWER LINE BEFORE THE PLT RECOVERED. AN EXAM OF THE MOTORIZED GLIDER REVEALED THAT FUEL HAD BEEN EXHAUSTED.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AT A LOW ALTITUDE, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL; AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LACK OF ALTITUDE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RECOVER FROM THE STALL/SPIN IN TIME TO AVOID THE TREE & POWER LINE.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT WAS FLYING THE MOTORIZED GLIDER AT ABOUT 200 TO 300 FT AGL. RPRTDLY, HE WAS SHUTTING OFF THE ENG, GLIDING FOR 30 TO 40 SEC, RESTARTING THE ENG, FLYING FOR A SHORT DISTANCE, THEN REPEATING THE PROCESS. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN THE ENG WAS WITHOUT POWER, IT ENTERED A STALL/SPIN, THEN HIT A TREE & A POWER LINE BEFORE THE PLT RECOVERED. AN EXAM OF THE MOTORIZED GLIDER REVEALED THAT FUEL HAD BEEN EXHAUSTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:14 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBratton RB-1
Tail NumberN44516
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorClarence R Bratton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 52
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 9 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC