# NTSB ATL89DLT05: Bratton RB-1, N44516, Springfield, TN, August 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1989, 14:14 local (19:14 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, TN
- Coordinates: 36.490356, -86.870979 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4904&lon=-86.8710&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7846
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DLT05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7846/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DLT05

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AT A LOW ALTITUDE, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL; AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LACK OF ALTITUDE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RECOVER FROM THE STALL/SPIN IN TIME TO AVOID THE TREE & POWER LINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT WAS FLYING THE MOTORIZED GLIDER AT ABOUT 200 TO 300 FT AGL.  RPRTDLY, HE WAS SHUTTING OFF THE ENG, GLIDING FOR 30 TO 40 SEC, RESTARTING THE ENG, FLYING FOR A SHORT DISTANCE, THEN REPEATING THE PROCESS. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN THE ENG WAS WITHOUT POWER, IT ENTERED A STALL/SPIN, THEN HIT A TREE & A POWER LINE BEFORE THE PLT RECOVERED. AN EXAM OF THE MOTORIZED GLIDER REVEALED THAT FUEL HAD BEEN EXHAUSTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44516](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44516-1989-09-25), registration cancelled 1989-09-25, S/N 0NE (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRATTON RB-1
- Registry model: [Bratton C R RB-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bratton-c-r-rb-1) (registry code 056136J) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 49
- Engines: ROTAX 503 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clarence R. Bratton
- Registered owner: Clarence R Bratton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 1989, 46 hours before
- Departed: M91, SPRINGFIELD, TN
- Destination: M91

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,400 total, 44 in this make and model, 44 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 20 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 19890809028229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890809028229A), Aug 9, 1989: Budd RB1, Springfield, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Ran out of fuel while maneuvering at low altitude. Struck tree, powerline and ground. No fuel in powered glider.

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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