# NTSB CHI86FEP07: Wheeler Gold Wing, N54314, Sturdevant, WI, July 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1986, 20:00 local (Jul 30, 1986, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Sturdevant, WI
- Coordinates: 42.700027, -87.890701 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7000&lon=-87.8907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FEP07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13314/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FEP07

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,pump - erratic (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,primer system - leak (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,replacement - not performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THIS AIRCRAFT FORCE LANDED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN THE WING STRUCK THE SHOULDER OF A DITCH DURING THE LANDING. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED (NOT IN ACCORDANCE TO THE MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS). ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, THE FUEL PUMP AS INSTALLED ON THIS HOMEBUILT WOULD QUIT OPERATING BECAUSE THE PUMP WAS MOUNTED BELOW THE IMPULSE NIPPLE OF THE ENGINE. ALSO, THE PRIMER SYSTEM FOR THIS ENGINE ALLOWED AIR TO LEAK INTO A FUEL LINE SUPPLYING FUEL TO THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54314](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54314-1988-05-02), registration cancelled 1988-05-02, S/N 21003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WHEELER GOLD WING
- Registry model: [Wheeler Hugh E GOLDWING](https://openairdocs.org/model/wheeler-hugh-e-goldwing) (registry code 05675D2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 21003
- Airframe hours: 6
- Engines: CUYUNA 9600 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hugh E. Wheeler
- Registered owner: Hugh E. Wheeler
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 29, 1985, 6 hours before
- Departed: C89, STURTEVANT, WI
- Airport: C89, Sylvania, runway 8L, 2,300 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 778 total, 6 in this make and model, 778 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKE, 30 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 19860729036619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860729036619A), Jul 29, 1986: Amtr GOLDWING, Sturtevant, WI, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff. Wing struck a ditch on forced landing. Improper fuel system components allowed air in line.

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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