# NTSB CHI79FEK02: Stitts Plby SA3B, N1020G, St. Marys, OH, November 26, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: November 26, 1978
- Place: St. Marys, OH · ST. MARYS, OH
- Location: 40.5476° N, 84.3923° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of St. Marys, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5476&lon=-84.3923&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 2, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143971
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI79FEK02
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEK02

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3322  78/11/26 NR.ST. MARYS,OH       STITTS PLBY SA3B    CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 41, 285
        TIME - 1445                    N1020G              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 77 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - FORTMAN
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ST. MARYS,OH                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: POOR/INADEQUATE DESIGN
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- FLEX DRIVE SHAFT BETWEEN FUEL SELECTOR VALVE AND HANDLE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1020G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1020G-1981-10-15), registration cancelled 1981-10-15, S/N P548 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STITTS PLBY SA3B
- Registry model: [Garwood STITS SA3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/garwood-stits-sa3b) (registry code 8651102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Fortman

## 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 19781126036539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781126036539A), Nov 26, 1978: Kinner SPORTSTERK, St. Marys, OH, Substantial damage. Flex drive shaft between fuel selector valve and handle.

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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