# Accident 19990717047549A: Amtr BARRACUDA, Hermon, NY, July 17, 1999

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 17, 1999, 14:10 local time
- Place: Hermon, NY
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 44.4593° N, 75.2306° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4593&lon=-75.2306&mi=10
- Aircraft: N849JA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N849JA-2016-05-31) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Allen-Charles BARRACUDA (registry code 05613C5, https://openairdocs.org/model/allen-charles-barracuda) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMTR BARRACUDA
- Reported engine: LYC IO540*
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 322 total, 18 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC99LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA179) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990717047549A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.4) DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT IN A HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE, WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 60 TO 90 NAUTICAL MILES FROM IT'S DESTINATION, THE PILOT NOTICED THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL GAGES WERE BOTH INDICATING 1/8 FULL. THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND EARLY AT ANOTHER AIRPORT.  HOWEVER, DUE TO HAZE AND THE ANXIETY OF THE SITUATION, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO FIND A SUITABLE AIRPORT SO HE ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A GRASS FIELD.  DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR SEPARATED AND THE AIRPLANE INCURRED SPAR DAMAGE.  EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL ANY PRE-LANDING MALFUNCTIONS OF THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE.  THE LEFT FUEL GAGE NEEDLE INDICATED 'E,' AND THE RIGHT FUEL GAGE NEEDLE INDICATED ABOUT 1/8 FULL.  WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS PLACED ON LEVEL GROUND, VISUAL EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED THAT ABOUT 1/4 INCH OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK, AND APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK.  THE PILOT REPORTED 321.8 HOURS OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, OF WHICH, 18.3 HOURS WERE IN THE MAKE AND MODEL OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE.                            (-23) AIRCRAFT RAN LOW ON FUEL ENROUTE. PILOT COULD NOT FIND A SUITABLE AIR PORT IN THE HAZY FLIGHT CONDITIONS AND MADE AN EMERGENCY OFF AIRPORT LANDING DUE TO LOW FUEL IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC99LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA179), Jul 17, 1999: Allen-Charles Barracuda (N849JA), Hermon, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in a precautionary landing. A factor in this accident was the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for the precautionary landing.

## Other reports on N849JA (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19790627017209I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790627017209I), Jun 27, 1979: Amtrjf BARRACUDA (N849JA), La Crosse, WI, Minor damage. Unable to extend landing gear due to broken fitting. Gear collapsed.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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