# NTSB CHI85LA028: Swift GC-1A, N74A, Fraser, MI, October 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1984, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Fraser, MI
- Coordinates: 42.529407, -82.940139 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5294&lon=-82.9401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12943
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12943/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA028

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - propeller - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE TOOK OFF ON RWY 18 & WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 250 FT AGL WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER & HE MADE A FORCED LANDING. HOWEVER, A CO-OWNER, WHO WAS ON BOARD, STATED THAT THE PLT HAD RETARDED THE THROTTLE, THEN THE ACFT STOPPED STOPPED CLIMBING, ACTING AS IF THE ENG HAD LOST POWER. HE STATED THAT THE ACFT SEEMED TO SHUDDER & SUDDENLY DROP TOWARD THE GROUND. HE BELIEVED THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER THE SPEED, BUT WAS UNSUCCESFUL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A LEVEL, BELLY DOWN ATTITUTDE. LATER, WHEN ASKED WHY THE PLT HAD RETARDED THE THROTTLE AFTER TAKEOFF, HE REPLIED THAT THE ENG WAS EXCEEDING 2575 RPM. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A VARIABLE PITCH PROP WHICH IS CONTROLLED BY THE PLT. THE CO-OWNER STATED THAT PROCEDURE TO CONTROL THE ENG RPM WAS FOR THE PLT TO CHANGE THE PROP PITCH ANGLE. THE PLT HAD NO PREVIOUS FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74A-1989-01-30), registration cancelled 1989-01-30, S/N 069 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SWIFT GC-1A
- Registry model: [Universal GLOBE GC-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-globe-gc-1a) (registry code 9230110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 069
- Airframe hours: 909
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raymond L. Nawrocki
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 12, 1984
- Airport: D13, Mckinley

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET, 9 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 19841027058859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841027058859A), Oct 27, 1984: Univac GC1A, Fraser, MI, Substantial damage. After takeoff. Retarded throttle instead of propeller. Airspeed loss, mushed into ground.

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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