# NTSB ATL86FEG02: Smith Miniplane, N26Z, Miamisburg, OH, July 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1986, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Miamisburg, OH
- Coordinates: 39.629627, -84.270065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6296&lon=-84.2701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6971
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FEG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6971/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FEG02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - incorrect (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE GROUND DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER A PWR LOSS FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT SAID THAT HE HAD 10 GALS OF FUEL AT TAKEOFF AND AFTER 20 MINTUES OF FLT THE GAUGE INDICATED 5 GALS. DURING THE ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE ARPT THE ENG QUIT. THE PLT DID NOT INDICATE HOW HE DETERMINED THAT THE ACFT HAD 10 GALS OF FUEL BEFORE TAKEOFF. THE GAUGE WAS DETERMINED TO BE INACCURATE. THE FUEL TANK, LINES, AND CARBURETOR WERE EMPTY OF FUEL AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF LEAKAGE ON OR AROUND THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N26Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SMITH MINIPLANE
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: FA2
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-CD 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Neil & Deye
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1986, 9 hours before
- Departed: I73, MORAINE AIRPORT, OH
- Destination: I73, MORAINE, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,201 total, 56 in this make and model, 1,201 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LUK, 22 nm away

## 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 19860713032229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860713032229A), Jul 13, 1986: Amtrsm MINIPLANE/, Miamisburg, OH, Substantial damage. Struck a tree on a forced landing after fuel exhaustion. Relied on inaccurate indicator for fuel quantity.

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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