# NTSB CHI85LA305: Kauffman BD4, N115PK, Acme, MI, July 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1985, 20:35 local (Jul 22, 1985, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Acme, MI
- Location: 44.7719° N, 85.5015° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Acme, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7719&lon=-85.5015&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13155
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA305
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13155/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA305

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - starvation (contributing factor)
  - mixture control,cable - disconnected (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON THE SECOND FLT OF NEWLY CERTIFICATED ACFT AND HAD BEEN AIRBORNE APRX 10 MINUTES WHEN A TOTAL LOSS OF PWR WAS EXPERIENCED. UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE ARPT THE PLT LANDED THE ACFT IN AN OPEN FLD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE ACFT STRUCK A ROAD EMBANKMENT SEPARATING THE ENG AND GEAR FROM THE AIRFRAME. THE PLT REPORTED THE MIXTURE CONTROL WAS NOT SAFETY WIRED WHEN IT WAS RERIGGED JUST PRIOR TO THIS FLT. THE MIXTURE CONTROL BECAME DISCONNECTED DURING THE FLT RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION TO THE ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N115PK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N115PK-2006-06-12), registration cancelled 2006-06-12, S/N 115, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KAUFFMAN BD4
- Registry model: [Kauffman BEDE IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/kauffman-bede-iv) (registry code 1130526) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 115
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D1B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul E. Kauffman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: Y17, ACME, MI
- Destination: Y17, AMCE, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,442 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,336 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVC, 4 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 19850721032759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850721032759A), Jul 21, 1985: Amtrbd BEDEBD4, Acme, MI, Destroyed. Mixture control not safety wired. Became disconnected, cut off fuel to engine. Landed in field, hit an embankment.

## Other investigations on N115PK (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 CHI04CA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA142), May 26, 2004: Kauffman Bede IV (N115PK), Acme, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: Engine oil starvation and inadequate maintenance by the pilot.

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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