# NTSB CHI88DER09: Smith Miniplane, N39F, Superior, WI, August 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1988, 19:45 local (Aug 21, 1988, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Superior, WI
- Coordinates: 46.669761, -92.079719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6698&lon=-92.0797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DER09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13894/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DER09

## 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 - unapproved part (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - material inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel control - fractured (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE IN NORMAL CRUISE THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY DESCENT TO A FORCED LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT REPORTED NO INJURIES. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FRACTURE OF THE FUEL LINE, HAD OCCURRED AT THE POINT WHERE THE PILOT/OWNER HAD INSTALLED AN AUTOMOTIVE TYPE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THE REGULATOR HAD NOT BEEN SUPPORTED PROPERLY TO GUARD AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF VIBRATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39F-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N DSA-50-1, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMITH MINIPLANE
- Registry model: [Smith SMITH MINIPLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-smith-miniplane) (registry code 83501DH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: DSA-50-1
- Airframe hours: 395
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wayne L. Shelhon
- Registered owner: William G. Bertrand
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 18, 1978, 24 hours before
- Departed: SUPERIOR, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,458 total, 63 in this make and model, 37 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLH, 18 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 19880820034279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880820034279A), Aug 20, 1988: Amtr MINIPLANE, Superior, WI, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Struck ground nose and wing low on landing. Fuel pressure regulator broke from corrosion.

## Other investigations on N39F (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 NYC77FGM24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77FGM24), May 14, 1977: Smith Mini (N39F), Waynesburg, PA, substantial damage

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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