# NTSB CHI83LA391: Demeter Hummer B, N77DE, Linden, MI, August 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1983, 20:15 local (Aug 21, 1983, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Linden, MI
- Coordinates: 42.809501, -83.779083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8095&lon=-83.7791&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): 12316
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA391
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12316/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA391

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,filter - blocked(total) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ULTRALIGHT ACFT CRASHED AFTER TAKEOFF WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL. THE ACFT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 100 FT AGL AT A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 240 FT FROM THE END OF THE RWY. AT THIS POINT THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT STARTED A 180 DEGREE TURN TOWARD AN OPEN FIELD ADJACENT TO THE RWY. DURING THE TURN THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A STEEL BALL IN THE FUEL FILTER CHECK VALVE BECAME JAMMED WHICH RESTRICTED FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77DE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77DE-1985-07-10), registration cancelled 1985-07-10, S/N 0068A (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEMETER HUMMER B
- Registry model: [Demeter Dennis J HUMMER A](https://openairdocs.org/model/demeter-dennis-j-hummer-a) (registry code 05644EP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0068A
- Airframe hours: 87
- Engines: ZENOAH UNKNOWN 22 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis Demeter
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1983, 30 hours before
- Airport: 9G2, Price'S, runway 27, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 691 total, 87 in this make and model, 580 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19830820043279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830820043279A), Aug 20, 1983: Amtr HUMMERA, Linden, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout due to fuel starvation. Crash landed off airport. Fuel filter check valve jammed.

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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