# NTSB ANC85LAG01: Brians Puffin, N4933N, Eagle River, AK, June 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1985, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Eagle River, AK
- Coordinates: 61.209877, -149.249496 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2099&lon=-149.2495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LAG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LAG01

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - fuselage - failure,partial (cause)
  - landing gear,float assembly - failure,partial (cause)
  - flight control,aileron - failure,partial (cause)
  - flight control,elevator - jammed (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - elevator - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - aileron - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS CONDUCTING TAXI TESTS ON HIS HOMEBUILT ACFT WHEN IT STARTED TO SUSTAIN A HULL STRUCTURE FAILURE AND CONTROL INTERFERENCE FROM SEPARATING PARTS. THE ACFT PITCHED OFF THE WATER, CLIMBED TO APRX 100 FT AGL, STALLED AND SPUN TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4933N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4933N-2013-06-12), registration cancelled 2013-06-12, S/N 01, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRIANS PUFFIN
- Registry model: [Brians Johnnie C PUFFIN](https://openairdocs.org/model/brians-johnnie-c-puffin) (registry code 05613BR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 01
- Airframe hours: 53
- Engines: Rotax 503 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Johnnie C. Brians
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 1985, 1 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 221 total, 53 in this make and model, 154 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850616025499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850616025499A), Jun 16, 1985: Amtrjb PUFFIN1, Eagle River, AK, Substantial damage. During a water taxi test,the hull failed. Aileron and elevators made inoperative. Uncontrolled flight, stall, spin.

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.

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