# NTSB ATL95LA141: Wheeler Fisher Classic, N942RW, Marietta, GA, July 22, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 1995, 16:38 local (20:38 UTC) - Place: Marietta, GA - Coordinates: 33.999668, -84.470512 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9997&lon=-84.4705&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3600 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3600/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA141 ## Probable cause improper planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power; and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, while turning to make a forced landing, which resulted in a stall and impact with the terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER AS THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING TURNED FROM DOWNWIND TO BASE LEG, WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND ON RUNWAY 27. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION FROM A TOWER CONTROLLER, THE AIRPLANE TURNED TOWARD THE RUNWAY AND APPEARED TO STALL. IT THEN ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT, DISAPPEARED BEHIND TREES, AND CRASHED. THE PILOT REPORTED THERE WERE FIVE GALLONS OF GASOLINE IN THE FUEL TANK BEFORE DEPARTURE. THE PASSENGER SAID THE FUEL QUANTITY INDICATOR SHOWED ONE GALLON OF FUEL AS THE AIRPLANE ENTERED THE LANDING PATTERN. THERE WAS NO ODOR OF FUEL AT THE ACCIDENT SITE, AND THE FUEL TANK WAS TORN LOOSE FROM THE AIRPLANE DURING IMPACT. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 1995, about 1638 eastern daylight time, a Wheeler Fisher Classic, homebuilt airplane, N942RW, collided with the ground, during an uncontrolled descent, at Marietta, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. There were minor injuries to the private pilot, and his passenger, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated about one hour prior to the accident. According to the FAA operations inspector who interviewed the pilot and passenger, the engine quit as the airplane was being turned from the downwind to the base leg, for runway 27, at McCollum Field. An air traffic controller, in the tower at McCollum Field, stated that the pilot reported a loss of engine power, the airplane turned toward the runway, then appeared to stall. The passenger stated that as the airplane crossed over the field, to enter the downwind, the fuel gauge was indicating about one gallon. There was no odor of fuel at the accident site, and the fuel tank was separated from the airframe. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N942RW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N942RW-1995-12-05), registration cancelled 1995-12-05, S/N C032 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WHEELER FISHER CLASSIC (FISHER CLA) - Registry model: [Wheeler Richard E FISHER CLASSIC](https://openairdocs.org/model/wheeler-richard-e-fisher-classic) (registry code 056165W) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CO32 - Airframe hours: 96 - Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Glen Horne - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 1994, 43 hours before - Departed: NONE, CARTERSVILLE, GA - Destination: RYY - Airport: RYY, Mccollum, runway 27, 5,105 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 500 total, 10 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RYY, 1 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 19950722019479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950722019479A), Jul 22, 1995: Amtr FISHER, Marietta, GA, Substantial damage. Lost power turning base for landing. Stalled and impacted ground. Fuel tank was empty. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.