# NTSB CHI83LA325: E.R. Hutson EAA Biplane, N81964, Franklin, IN, July 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1983, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, IN
- Location: 39.4120° N, 86.0577° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from FRANKLIN FLYING FLD (3FK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4120&lon=-86.0577&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA325
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12272/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA325

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT DURING TAKEOFF. THE PLT HAD TAKEN OFF WITH SEVEN GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE RESERVE TANK AND 4 GALLONS IN THE MAIN TANK. HIS INITIAL TAKEOFF WAS WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR ON RESERVE. HE FLEW ON RESERVE TANK FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES IN THE LOCAL AREA. HE THEN SWITCHED TO THE MAIN TANK AND MADE 2 TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. HE DECIDED TO MAKE A 3RD TAKEOFF BUT FORGOT TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS. AT 150 FT AGL AFTER TAKEOFF THEENGINE QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A CORN FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81964](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81964-1999-04-24), registration cancelled 1999-04-24, S/N 651 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: E.R. HUTSON EAA BIPLANE (EAA BIPLAN)
- Registry model: [Hutson EAA BIPLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/hutson-eaa-biplane) (registry code 3360315) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 651
- Airframe hours: 197
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: E.R. Hudson
- Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1982
- Airport: 3FK, Franklin, runway 21, 2,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 168 total, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830719034759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830719034759A), Jul 19, 1983: Amtrea EAABIPLANE*, Franklin, IN, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff climb due to fuel exhaustion. Had fuel in auxiliary tanks but fuel selector on a empty main.

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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