# NTSB CHI84LU002: Birdman Enterprises Chinook, Mecosta, MI, March 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1984, 16:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Mecosta, MI
- Coordinates: 43.609512, -85.22966 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6095&lon=-85.2297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12791
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LU002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12791/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LU002

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - fuel system,vent - other
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing

## Analysis

THE ACFT STALLED DURING A FORCED LANDING AND THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND. THE PLT STATED THAT ON HIS FIRST TAKEOFF FULL POWER WAS NOT OBTAINED AND A TURN OF 180 DEGREES WAS INITIATED TO RETURN TO THE AIRSTRIP. THE ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY ON DOWNWIND AND THE PLT STALLED THE VEHICLE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE FAILED TO OPEN THE VENT ON THE FUEL TANK WHICH CREATED A VACUUM IN THE TANK THAT LED TO FUEL STARVATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BIRDMAN ENTERPRISES CHINOOK
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 01967
- Airframe hours: 24
- Engines: Rotax 277 28 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: T. Dupuis
- Airport: 27C, Mecosta Morton Twn

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 10 total, 7 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.