# NTSB ATL85LA023: Four Seasons Aviations American Aerolight, N953AA, Springville, AL, October 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1984, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Springville, AL
- Coordinates: 33.769603, -86.470947 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7696&lon=-86.4709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6697
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6697/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA023

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,tank - disconnected (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - leak (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AT APRX 150 FT THE PLT HEARD A NOISE AND OBSERVED A FIRE INVOLVING THE REAR PORTION OF THE ACFT. THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK RUPTURED AND BURNING FUEL WAS SUCKED AFT THROUGH THE PUSHER PROP. THE BALLISTIC PARACHUTE WAS DEPLOYED AND OPENED AS THE ACFT HIT A 60 FT TALL TREE. THE PLT STATED THE OPINION THAT THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING ASS'Y MAY HAVE FAILED ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO FALL ONTO THE ENG. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE MOLDED FUEL TANK WAS BROKEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N953AA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: FOUR SEASONS AVIATIONS AMERICAN AEROLIGHT (AMERICAN A)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 400157
- Airframe hours: 36
- Engines: ROTAX 503 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Operator: Michael Pair, doing business as 4 Seasons Aviation
- Registered owner: Four Seasons Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1984
- Departed: SPRINGVILLE, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 37 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °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 19841027060779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841027060779A), Oct 27, 1984: Amtr EAGLEXL2, Springville, AL, Substantial damage. Engine fire, ruptured fuel tank. Pilot deployed ballistic parachute, landed in trees.

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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