# NTSB CHI06CA253: Hedeman Tailwind W8, N4FD, Platteville, WI, September 3, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 3, 2006, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Platteville, WI
- Coordinates: 42.689167, -90.444168
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6892&lon=-90.4442&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA253
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA253

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight which resulted in a blocked fuel vent that led to fuel starvation.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - crop
- Nose over, emergency descent/landing

## Analysis

The amateur-built experimental airplane sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a forced landing to a farm field after a loss of engine power.  The pilot reported that he had conducted two moderate speed taxi runs prior to the takeoff.  He reported that he departed and just prior to turning crosswind, the engine "died."  He executed a forced landing to an alfalfa field, but the airplane nosed over during the landing roll.  The examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel vent was clogged.

## Factual narrative

The amateur-built experimental airplane sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a forced landing to a farm field after a loss of engine power.  The pilot reported that he had conducted two moderate speed taxi runs prior to the takeoff.  He reported that he departed and just prior to turning crosswind, the engine "died."  He executed a forced landing to an alfalfa field, but the airplane nosed over during the landing roll.  The examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel vent was clogged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4FD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4FD-2012-07-24), registration cancelled 2012-07-24, S/N 757, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hedeman Tailwind W8
- Registry model: [Hedeman Donald W-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/hedeman-donald-w-8) (registry code 05622HS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 757
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald L. Hedeman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PVB, Platteville, WI
- Airport: PVB, Platteville Municipal Airport, runway 7

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 2,600 total, 0 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

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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