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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 7, 1985 · Chamberlain Viking Dragonfly Viking DRA · N59BC

Faribault, MN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 7, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Faribault, MN
Aircraft
Chamberlain Viking Dragonfly Viking DRA
Tail Number
N59BC
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI85FA269

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND BURST INTO FLAMES DURING A FORCED LANDING. ON THE PLT'S SECOND RADIO CONTACT WITH FARIBAULT MUNICIPAL AIRPORT UNICOM HE DECLARED, 'I HAVE ENGINE FAILURE. I'M GOING DOWN IN A CORN FIELD.' POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED LARGE QUANTITIES OF RUST AND DEBRIS IN THE FUEL STRAINER BOWL. THE CARBURETOR ALSO CONTAINED CORROSION AND FOREIGN DEBRIS IN THE CASE.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND BURST INTO FLAMES DURING A FORCED LANDING. ON THE PLT'S SECOND RADIO CONTACT WITH FARIBAULT MUNICIPAL AIRPORT UNICOM HE DECLARED, 'I HAVE ENGINE FAILURE. I'M GOING DOWN IN A CORN FIELD.' POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED LARGE QUANTITIES OF RUST AND DEBRIS IN THE FUEL STRAINER BOWL. THE CARBURETOR ALSO CONTAINED CORROSION AND FOREIGN DEBRIS IN THE CASE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 CDT
Nearest Airport2nm ESE
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftChamberlain Viking Dragonfly Viking DRA
Tail NumberN59BC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · AS41 · Reciprocating · 60
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 14 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data