# NTSB CHI03LA255: Taylorcraft F19, N3575T, Lakewood, WI, August 4, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 2003, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Lakewood, WI - Coordinates: 45.330303, -88.410095 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3303&lon=-88.4101&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57690 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA255 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57690/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA255 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper use of the fuel system. A related factor was the tree. ## 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 - starvation (cause) - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during an emergency landing following a reported loss of engine power in cruise flight. The pilot stated that he "mistakenly turned fuel shut off valve instead of tank valve. After noticing main tank was not filling, [he] realized the wrong valve was turned and immediately corrected action. Pilot turned correct valve and seconds later the engine quit." ## Factual narrative On August 4, 2003, at 1730 central daylight time, a Taylorcraft F19, N3575T, operated by a private pilot was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during an emergency landing following a reported in-flight loss of engine power near Lakewood, Wisconsin. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed from Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at 1615 and was destined for a private airstrip in the upper peninsula of Michigan. The pilot stated: Pilot was in cruise phase of flight at 2500 [feet above mean sea level]. Approximately 1 hour after departure pilot noted fuel in main tank was below half and attempted to refill main tank from auxiliary wing tank. Pilot mistakenly turned fuel shut off valve instead of tank valve. After noticing main tank was not filling, pilot realized the wrong valve was turned and immediately corrected action. Pilot turned correct valve and seconds later the engine quit. Pilot turned toward old clearcut near a gravel road and attempted restart with prop windmilling. ... During flare left wing struck small tree causing aircraft to bank right and yaw left. Right wing tip struck ground. Aircraft rolled out and struck small tree with nose and rode up over it snagging right gear. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3575T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3575T-2006-08-23), registration cancelled 2006-08-23, S/N F-041, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft F19 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft F19](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-f19) (registry code 8850904) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: F-041 - Airframe hours: 913 - Engines: Lycoming O290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Peter Rintamaki - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 2003, 3.8 hours before - Departed: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI - Destination: PVT, Private, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 18, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 148 total, 12 in this make and model, 103 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: AIG, 40 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 20030804018819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030804018819A), Aug 4, 2003: Tcraft F19, Lakewood, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was in cruise flight at 2,500 MSL in the vicinity of Lakewood, WI. Pilot intended to open left auxiliary fuel tank valve to replenish main tank… ## Other investigations on N3575T (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC05CA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA124), Aug 20, 2005: Taylorcraft F19 (N3575T), Chickaloon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's misjudged distance and altitude on final approach to land, which resulted in an undershoot and structural damage to the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was a downdraft. 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.