# NTSB CHI85LA154: Smelko Cvjetkovic CA-65, N3280, Ravenna, OH, April 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1985, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Ravenna, OH
- Coordinates: 41.149612, -81.24031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1496&lon=-81.2403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13037
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13037/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA154

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN AN OPEN SOFT FIELD AFTER A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED WHILE ON FINAL APCH. THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO TRANSFER FUEL FROM THE REAR FUEL TANK TO THE EMPTY FRONT TANK BUT DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ALT TO ACCOMPLISH THE TASK. FUEL IS GRAVITY FED TO THE ENGINE BY ONLY THE FRONT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3280](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3280-2000-07-26), registration cancelled 2000-07-26, S/N B1003J (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMELKO CVJETKOVIC CA-65 (CVJETKOVIC)
- Registry model: [Smelko CVJETKOVIC CA-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/smelko-cvjetkovic-ca-65) (registry code 05611ER) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: B-1003J
- Airframe hours: 50
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William J. Harper III
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1984
- Departed: 29G, RAVENNA, OH
- Airport: 29G, Portage Co.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,251 total, 48 in this make and model, 3,920 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAK, 20 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 19850407033389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850407033389A), Apr 7, 1985: Amtrck CA65, Ravenna, OH, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final due to failure of pilot to transfer fuel from rear tank. Aircraft nosed over in muddy field.

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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