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NTSB Report
September 18, 1989 · Wesley Striplin Ranger Striplin R · N46WW
Smith Creek, MI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 18, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Smith Creek, MI
Aircraft
Wesley Striplin Ranger Striplin R
Tail Number
N46WW
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI89DEC08
WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING SOMETHING HANGING FROM THE LEFT WING OF THE AIRPLANE ALONG WITH FUEL COMING FROM THE LEFT WING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A LEFT DIVING TURN AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. EXAMINATION REVEALED THE LEFT WINGTIP FUEL TANK WAS MISSING AND IT WAS NOT LOCATED. THE LEFT WING INBOARD TANK WAS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 100 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. THREE FLIGHT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE LEFT AILERON WAS REPAIRED DUE TO DELAMINATION OF THE SKIN. THE KIT MANUFACTURER STATED THE WINGTIP TANKS SHOULD BE ATTACHED WITH 6 SCREWS, LARGE WASHERS AND NUT PLATES. REPORTEDLY, THE WINGTIP TANKS WERE ATTACHED WITH 4 SCREWS AND NUT PLATES WITH NO WASHERS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE WINGTIP FUEL TANK WHICH RESULTED IN ITS INFLIGHT SEPARATION AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING SOMETHING HANGING FROM THE LEFT WING OF THE AIRPLANE ALONG WITH FUEL COMING FROM THE LEFT WING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A LEFT DIVING TURN AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. EXAMINATION REVEALED THE LEFT WINGTIP FUEL TANK WAS MISSING AND IT WAS NOT LOCATED. THE LEFT WING INBOARD TANK WAS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 100 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. THREE FLIGHT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE LEFT AILERON WAS REPAIRED DUE TO DELAMINATION OF THE SKIN. THE KIT MANUFACTURER STATED THE WINGTIP TANKS SHOULD BE ATTACHED WITH 6 SCREWS, LARGE WASHERS AND NUT PLATES. REPORTEDLY, THE WINGTIP TANKS WERE ATTACHED WITH 4 SCREWS AND NUT PLATES WITH NO WASHERS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:40 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftWesley Striplin Ranger Striplin R
Tail NumberN46WW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 532LC · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 1 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT