# NTSB CHI85FA269: Chamberlain Viking Dragonfly, N59BC, Faribault, MN, July 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1985, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Faribault, MN
- Coordinates: 44.290855, -93.270294 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2909&lon=-93.2703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12851
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA269
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12851/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA269

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,screen - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fuel system,filter - contamination (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - contamination (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND BURST INTO FLAMES DURING A FORCED LANDING. ON THE PLT'S SECOND RADIO CONTACT WITH FARIBAULT MUNICIPAL AIRPORT UNICOM HE DECLARED, 'I HAVE ENGINE FAILURE. I'M GOING DOWN IN A CORN FIELD.' POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED LARGE QUANTITIES OF RUST AND DEBRIS IN THE FUEL STRAINER BOWL. THE CARBURETOR ALSO CONTAINED CORROSION AND FOREIGN DEBRIS IN THE CASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59BC-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 017, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMBERLAIN VIKING DRAGONFLY (VIKING DRA)
- Registry model: [Chamberlain Bradley B DRAGONFLY](https://openairdocs.org/model/chamberlain-bradley-b-dragonfly) (registry code 05647UY) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 017
- Airframe hours: 125
- Engines: Volkswagen AS41 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bradley B. Chamberlain
- Departed: SUS, ST. LOUIS, MO
- Destination: FCM, MINNEAPOLIS, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 125 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 45 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 19850707029479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850707029479A), Jul 7, 1985: Amtr DRAGONFLY, Faribault, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck a tree during emergency landing and burst into flames. Fuel strainer and carburetor had rust and corrosion.

## Other investigations on N59BC (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI83LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA311), Jul 9, 1983: Viking Dragonfly (N59BC), Flying Cloud, MN, substantial damage

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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