# NTSB CHI07CA255: Buttles SNS-7, N5HB, Lapeer, MI, August 3, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 3, 2007, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Lapeer, MI
- Coordinates: 43.066387, -83.271942
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0664&lon=-83.2719&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Detroit, Michigan FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA255

## Probable cause

The fuel starvation for an undetermined reason, and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing.  The trees were a factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The flight made a forced landing following a loss of engine power.  The pilot stated that about 7 minutes after takeoff while in cruise flight at 1,000 feet above ground level, the engine sputtered.  He stated that he began a turn to return to the airport and as he turned about 90 degrees, the engine lost power completely.  He said that he elected to land in a farm field and during the landing he struck trees at the approach end of the field.  The pilot stated that he believed the engine failure was due to a blocked fuel vent on the main tank of the airplane.  Subsequent examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with regard to the airplane or its engine.  The main fuel tank was found to be nearly full of fuel.  The auxiliary fuel tank contained a small amount of fuel.

## Factual narrative

The flight made a forced landing following a loss of engine power.  The pilot stated that about 7 minutes after takeoff while in cruise flight at 1,000 feet above ground level, the engine sputtered.  He stated that he began a turn to return to the airport and as he turned about 90 degrees, the engine quit completely.  He said that he elected to land in a farm field and during the landing he struck trees at the approach end of the field.  The pilot stated that he believed the engine failure was due to a blocked fuel vent on the main tank of the airplane.  Subsequent examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with regard to the airplane or its engine.  The main fuel tank was found to be nearly full of fuel.  The auxiliary fuel tank contained a small amount of fuel.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5HB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5HB-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 212, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Buttles SNS-7
- Registry model: [Buttles Harold SNS-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/buttles-harold-sns-7) (registry code 05655AC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 212
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Garth Newton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: D95, LAPEER, MI
- Destination: 3BS, MIDLAND, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 200 total, 122 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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