# NTSB BFO93LA089: Meador Dragonfly SP, N32T, Hamilton, OH, May 16, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1993, 12:03 local (16:03 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton, OH
- Coordinates: 39.32912, -84.539901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3291&lon=-84.5399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11948
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11948/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA089

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE FUEL FILTER, WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSEQUENT LOSS ON ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTIAN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD, WHICH RESULTED ON AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,filter - blocked(total)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD MADE SOME CHANGES TO THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE'S ENGINE, SO HE DECIDED TO CHECK THE EFFECTS OF THE CHANGES. ACCORDING TO HIM, THE OIL TEMPERATURE WAS BETTER THAN THE DAY BEFORE, SO HE CONTINUED FLYING TOWARDS HIS HOME.  HE STATED THAT EN ROUTE, THE ENGINE 'STARTED TO MISS.'  HE STATED THAT HE CHECKED ALL THE ENGINE CONTROLS AND GAGES INCLUDING THE TWO HEADER FUEL PUMPS, AND THEY WERE ALL OPERATING NORMALLY.  THE ENGINE EVENTUALLY LOST POWER AND HE MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE FOR A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD.  THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE MANEUVERING, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AT ABOUT 20 TO 25 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY AN FAA INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT THE FUEL FILTER BETWEEN THE MAIN TANK AND THE HEADER FUEL TANK WAS CONTAMINATED WITH FIBERGLASS DUST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32T-1993-11-17), registration cancelled 1993-11-17, S/N 01 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MEADOR DRAGONFLY SP (DRAGONFLY)
- Registry model: [Meador William R DRAGONFLY SP](https://openairdocs.org/model/meador-william-r-dragonfly-sp) (registry code 05644SW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 01
- Engines: Volkswagen VW 76 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: William R Meador
- Registered owner: William R Meador
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1993
- Destination: HAO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 96 total, 5 in this make and model, 56 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LUK, 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 19930516014009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930516014009A), May 16, 1993: Amtr DRAGONFLY, Hamilton, OH, Destroyed. Lost power, nosed over on hard impact in open field. Fuel filter clogged by fiberglass dust. Had prior power outs.

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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