# NTSB ATL90DKG03: Corben BABY-ACE, N1034C, Griffin, GA, April 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1990, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Griffin, GA
- Coordinates: 33.290382, -83.96083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2904&lon=-83.9608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8080
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90DKG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8080/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90DKG03

## Probable cause

AN IMPROPER FUEL SYSTEM (INSTALLED BY THE HOME BUILDER), AND CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper, manufacturer (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKE OFF IN A CLIMB ATTITUDE, THE ENGINE OF THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT LOST POWER. WHEN THE NOSE WAS LOWERED, IT RESTARTED, BUT WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE TREES. A WITNESS WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY FLOWN THE AIRPLANE STATED THE ENGINE HAD QUIT WITH HIM UNDER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS ABOUT 1/4 FULL. THE ENGINE RAN WELL AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE ENGINE AND NOTED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS MOUNTED DIRECTLY BEHIND AND LEVEL WITH THE ENGINE. WHEN THE FUEL WAS ABOUT 1/4 FULL, A HIGH NOSE ATTITUDE WOULD RESULT IN POOLING OF THE FUEL AT THE REAR OF THE FUEL TANK. SUBSEQUENTLY, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT PRESSURE IN THE GRAVITY FED SYSTEM TO SUSTAIN ENGINE OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1034C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1034C-2018-04-18), registration cancelled 2018-04-18, S/N 1, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CORBEN BABY-ACE
- Registry model: [Corben Baby Ace C1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/corben-baby-ace-c1a) (registry code 00301TM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: N1034C
- Airframe hours: 1719
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ken Berger
- Registered owner: Kenneth F Burger
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1989, 20 hours before
- Departed: 4GA6, GRIFFIN, GA
- Airport: 4GA6, Beaverbrook, runway 33, 2,100 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,385 total, 1 in this make and model, 4,036 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19900415008899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900415008899A), Apr 15, 1990: Amtraa BABYACE*, Griffin, GA, Substantial damage. Fuel starvation on climbout. Hit trees, crashed inverted. Gravity fed low fuel unported on nose high climb.

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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