# NTSB BFO93LA080: Mcmillin Fisher 404, Wampum, PA, May 1, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1993, 18:01 local (22:01 UTC)
- Place: Wampum, PA
- Coordinates: 40.87973, -80.330207 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8797&lon=-80.3302&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 October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11940
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11940/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA080

## Probable cause

THE OVERTORQUE OF A SAFETY WIRE ON A PLASTIC FUEL LINE, CAUSING THE LINE TO SPLIT.

## Analysis

ABOUT 45 SECONDS AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING, AND DURING THE APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A TREE.  POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT A PLASTIC FUEL LINE HAD BEEN SAFETY WIRED AND THE WIRE WAS OVER TORQUED, CAUSING THE FUEL LINE TO SPLIT.  THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT DURING INITIAL CLIMB FROM TAKE OFF, AIR ENTERED THE FUEL LINE, STARVING THE ENGINE OF FUEL.  THE PILOT WAS OPERATING THE AIRPLANE UNDER 14 CFR PART 103 AS AN ULTRALIGHT AND DID NOT HOLD ANY FAA CERTIFICATES.  THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT WEIGHED OVER THE WEIGHT LIMITATION OF 254 POUNDS AS IMPOSED BY 14 CFR PART 103; THEREFORE, IT WAS DESIGNATED AN AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line fitting - overtorque (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,line - cracked
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCMILLIN FISHER 404
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: ROTAX 532 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Mcmillin
- Registered owner: James Mcmillin
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: YNG, 1 nm away

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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