# NTSB CHI83LA406: Edwards Mitchell P-38, N81TE, Sheridan, MI, September 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1983, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Sheridan, MI
- Coordinates: 43.210365, -85.070953 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2104&lon=-85.0710&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12328
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA406
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12328/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA406

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,line - buckled (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED DOWN IN A CROP OF CORN DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT 200 FT AGL DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB. DURING THE TURN BACK TO THE AIRSTRIP THE LEFT WING STALLED. THE PILOT SAID HE RECOVERED ABOUT 10 FT AGL BUT THE CORN STALKS SLOWED THE ACFT AND FORCED THE NOSE DOWN. AFTER THE ACCIDENT AN INSPECTION SHOWED A FUEL LINE CRIMPED AGAINST THE TANK CAUSING A PARTIAL BLOCKING OF FUEL FLOW. THIS IS A HOMEBUILT ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N81TE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EDWARDS MITCHELL P-38 (MITCHELL P)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: L-208
- Airframe hours: 82
- Engines: CUYUNA NOT REPORTED 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas Edwards
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1983
- Airport: NONE, Russell Field, runway 34, 1,700 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 90 total, 82 in this make and model, 82 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 18 nm away

## 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 19830901048779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830901048779A), Sep 1, 1983: Amtr MITCHELLP38, Sheridan, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit after takeoff and crash occurred during emergency landing. Fuel flow from tank was restricted.

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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