# NTSB CHI87DET05: Bannwart Maxair XP-503, N171RB, Michigan City, IN, June 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1987, 20:07 local (Jun 14, 1987, 01:07 UTC)
- Place: Michigan City, IN
- Coordinates: 41.710273, -86.870903 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7103&lon=-86.8709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DET05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DET05

## 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 - disconnected (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT THE CARBURETOR OF THIS AMATEUR BUILT AIRCRAFT BECAME DETACHED AND THE ENGINE FAILED. AN EMERGENCY LAND WAS ATTEMPTED, HOWEVER OBSTACLES PREVENTED A LANDING AT PRIMARY LANDING SITE AND AN ALTERNATE WAS SELECTED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE DESTINATION AND STALLED AT ABOUT 16' TO 20' AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N171RB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N171RB-2011-05-18), registration cancelled 2011-05-18, S/N 0171 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BANNWART MAXAIR XP-503 (MAXAIR XP-)
- Registry model: [Bannwart Ralph L XP](https://openairdocs.org/model/bannwart-ralph-l-xp) (registry code 9570746) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0171
- Airframe hours: 69
- Engines: ROTAX 503 46 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ralph L. Bannwart
- Registered owner: Ralph L Bannwart
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 14, 1987, 12 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 6,067 total, 69 in this make and model, 5,811 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 27 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 19870613053679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870613053679A), Jun 13, 1987: Amtrmx XP503, Michigan City, IN, Substantial damage. The engine quit when the carburetor came loose and hit the propeller. Hose clamps on carb improperly secured.

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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