# NTSB CHI89DEC08: Wesley Striplin Ranger, N46WW, Smith Creek, MI, September 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1989, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Smith Creek, MI
- Coordinates: 42.910057, -82.599327 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9101&lon=-82.5993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14181
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEC08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14181/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEC08

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE WINGTIP FUEL TANK WHICH RESULTED IN ITS INFLIGHT SEPARATION AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - wing,wingtip - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - separation (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING SOMETHING HANGING FROM THE LEFT WING OF THE AIRPLANE ALONG WITH FUEL COMING FROM THE LEFT WING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A LEFT DIVING TURN AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. EXAMINATION REVEALED THE LEFT WINGTIP FUEL TANK WAS MISSING AND IT WAS NOT LOCATED. THE LEFT WING INBOARD TANK WAS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 100 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. THREE FLIGHT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE LEFT AILERON WAS REPAIRED DUE TO DELAMINATION OF THE SKIN. THE KIT MANUFACTURER STATED THE WINGTIP TANKS SHOULD BE ATTACHED WITH 6 SCREWS, LARGE WASHERS AND NUT PLATES. REPORTEDLY, THE WINGTIP TANKS WERE ATTACHED WITH 4 SCREWS AND NUT PLATES WITH NO WASHERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46WW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46WW-1991-05-24), registration cancelled 1991-05-24, S/N 87047 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WESLEY STRIPLIN RANGER (STRIPLIN R)
- Registry model: [Foster Thomas M STRIPLIN SKYRNGR SC](https://openairdocs.org/model/foster-thomas-m-striplin-skyrngr-sc) (registry code 05612FB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 87047
- Engines: ROTAX 532LC 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William W. Wesley, Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PHN, PORT HURON, MI
- Destination: PHN, PORT HURON, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,280 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 1 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19890918035299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890918035299A), Sep 18, 1989: Amtr SKYRANGER, Port Huron, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost left fuel tip tank circling residence. Lost control, stalled and dived vertically into trees.

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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