# NTSB ATL84LA289: William T. Hodges Goldwing, N132GW, Americus, GA, September 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1984, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Americus, GA
- Coordinates: 32.070816, -84.219627 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0708&lon=-84.2196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6545
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA289
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6545/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA289

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,pump - inadequate (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB AT AN ALT OF 150 FT AGL, A TTL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A SOYBEAN FILED AT WHICH TIME THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PLT STATED THE LOSS OF POWER RESULTED FROM THE INSTALLATION OF A NON-STANDARD VACUUM FUEL PUMP WHICH DID NOT SUPPY ADEQUATE FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THE PLT INSTALLED THE FUEL PUMP ON THIS HOMEBUILT ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N132GW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N132GW-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 0132, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WILLIAM T. HODGES GOLDWING
- Registry model: [Hodges William T GOLDWING](https://openairdocs.org/model/hodges-william-t-goldwing) (registry code 056479N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0132
- Airframe hours: 50
- Engines: DAWN STAR SP-400 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William T. Hodges
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 5, 1983
- Departed: AMERICUS, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 64 total, 22 in this make and model, 48 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19840915051289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840915051289A), Sep 15, 1984: Amtr GOLDWING, Americus, GA, Substantial damage. During climbout engine quit. Landed in field. Non standard fuel pump did not provide adequate pressure.

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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