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NTSB Report
July 15, 1983 · J Roberts Pitts Special Pitts SPEC · N3144
Grand Haven, MI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 15, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Grand Haven, MI
Aircraft
J Roberts Pitts Special Pitts SPEC
Tail Number
N3144
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI83LA312
AFTER A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING, THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU APRX 100 FT AGL WHEN THE ENG ABRUPTLY LOST POWER. A STRAIGHT AHEAD LANDING WAS NOT FEASIBLE. WHILE THE PLT WAS MANEUVERING TO LAND, THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A RIGHT WING LOW, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL TANK WAS APRX 3/4 FULL WITH A MIXTURE OF ABOUT EQUAL AMOUNTS OF AUTOMOTIVE & AVIATION (100 LL) FUEL. ABOUT 1 OZ OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL, BUT NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE LINE LEADING FROM THE ENG DRIVEN FUEL PUMP TO THE CARBURETOR. DAMAGE TO THE FIREWALL PREVENTED AN ACCURATE DUPLICATION OF THE FUEL CONTROL TRAVEL LIMITS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PROP CONTROL WAS HARD TO OPERATE, BUT THE PLT SAID THAT IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY. NO OTHER DISCREPANCIES WERE EVIDENT. THE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL BLOCKAGE, BY VAPOR LOCK, COULD NOT BE DISCOUNTED.
Full Narrative
AFTER A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING, THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU APRX 100 FT AGL WHEN THE ENG ABRUPTLY LOST POWER. A STRAIGHT AHEAD LANDING WAS NOT FEASIBLE. WHILE THE PLT WAS MANEUVERING TO LAND, THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A RIGHT WING LOW, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL TANK WAS APRX 3/4 FULL WITH A MIXTURE OF ABOUT EQUAL AMOUNTS OF AUTOMOTIVE & AVIATION (100 LL) FUEL. ABOUT 1 OZ OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL, BUT NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE LINE LEADING FROM THE ENG DRIVEN FUEL PUMP TO THE CARBURETOR. DAMAGE TO THE FIREWALL PREVENTED AN ACCURATE DUPLICATION OF THE FUEL CONTROL TRAVEL LIMITS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PROP CONTROL WAS HARD TO OPERATE, BUT THE PLT SAID THAT IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY. NO OTHER DISCREPANCIES WERE EVIDENT. THE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL BLOCKAGE, BY VAPOR LOCK, COULD NOT BE DISCOUNTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:50 EDT
Nearest AirportGrand Haven (1nm W)
Runway27
Runway Length3750 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftJ Roberts Pitts Special Pitts SPEC
Tail NumberN3144
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 5 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:30
Weather SourceWFAC