# NTSB CHI00LA028: Shaffer Evans Volksplane, N78VS, Stanley, ND, November 11, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 11, 1999, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Stanley, ND - Coordinates: 48.310825, -102.380645 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3108&lon=-102.3806&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 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47780 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47780/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA028 ## Probable cause refueling not performed by the non-rated pilot and the lack of total experience of the non-rated pilot. Factors to the accident were fuel exhaustion, the unsuitable terrain for landing encountered by the non-rated pilot, and the rough/uneven terrain condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause) - lack of certification, pilot in command - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the non-rated pilot's written statement, he arrived at the Stanley Municipal Airport at 1130, inspected the airplane, and filled the fuel tank. The non-rated pilot reported that he was practicing low and high-speed taxi operations on the accident day. The non-rated pilot stated that he practiced taxing until 1400 when he stopped for lunch. The non-rated pilot reported that he returned to the airport, and resumed taxi operations, at 1500. The non-rated pilot stated that at approximately 1545 the airplane became airborne and there was not enough runway remaining to land. The non-rated pilot reported that he continued to fly the aircraft, entered a traffic pattern, and when the airplane was on final approach to the runway the engine lost total power. The non-rated pilot reported that he landed the airplane in a rolling agricultural field, on a southerly heading. The non-rated pilot reported that he did not have any flight time prior to the accident flight and did not have an aviation medical or student pilot certificate. Examination of the engine revealed that there was no fuel present throughout the engine and its fuel system. The accident aircraft had a fuel capacity of 8-gallons. According to a distributor of Volkswagen engine conversions, the fuel burn rate for a 1600cc-type engine, at 3,100 rpm, is 3.5 gallons per hour. ## Factual narrative On November 11, 1999, at 1600 central standard time, a Shaffer Evans Volksplane, N78VS, piloted by a non-certificated pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with the terrain, following a loss of engine power near Stanley, North Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The non-rated pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight departed Stanley Municipal Airport, Stanley, North Dakota at 1545. According to the non-rated pilot's written statement, he arrived at the Stanley Municipal Airport at 1130, inspected the airplane, and filled the fuel tank. The non-rated pilot reported that he was practicing low and high-speed taxi operations on the accident day. The non-rated pilot stated that he practiced taxing until 1400 when he stopped for lunch. The non-rated pilot reported that he returned to the airport, and resumed taxi operations, at 1500. The non-rated pilot stated that at approximately 1545 the airplane became airborne and there was not enough runway remaining to land. The non-rated pilot reported that he continued to fly the aircraft, entered a traffic pattern, and when the airplane was on final approach to the runway the engine lost total power. The non-rated pilot reported that he landed the airplane in a rolling agricultural field, on a southerly heading. The non-rated pilot reported that he did not have any flight time prior to the accident flight and did not have an aviation medical or student pilot certificate. Examination of the engine revealed that there was no fuel present throughout the engine and its fuel system. The crankshaft was turned through several turns and thumb compression was verified on all cylinders. Ignition leads were examined and all produced spark. The spark plugs exhibited no fouling. The accident aircraft had a fuel capacity of 8-gallons. According to a distributor of Volkswagen engine conversions, the fuel burn rate for a 1600cc-type engine, at 3,100 rpm, is 3.5 gallons per hour. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78VS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78VS-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 2401, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Shaffer EVANS VOLKSPLANE (EVANS VOLK) - Registry model: [Shaffer-O V EVANS VP-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/shaffer-o-v-evans-vp-1) (registry code 0563596) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2401 - Engines: Volkswagen VW 1600 CC 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ray Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1999, 0 hours before - Departed: 08D ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 12 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MOT, 45 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 19991111046199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991111046199A), Nov 11, 1999: Stanley, ND, No damage. (-23) On November 11, 1999 at 1630 local time an evans VP-1, N78VS, operated by an individual without any pilot license, sustained substantial damage during… 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.