# NTSB CHI89DEI02: Acroduster SA-750, N69GM, Painesville, OH, August 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1989, 19:47 local (23:47 UTC)
- Place: Painesville, OH
- Coordinates: 41.720352, -81.240631 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7204&lon=-81.2406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14189
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEI02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14189/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEI02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SELECTOR FOR TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION; AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT AND THE TREES WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD NO PREVIOUS FLT TIME IN THIS ACFT & WAS PRACTICING GROUND TAXI OPNS. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE ELECTED TO TAKEOFF. WHEN HE TOOK OFF, THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO USE FUEL FROM THE UPPER TANK, WHICH WAS NEARLY EMPTY. AFTER THE ACFT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 400 FT AGL, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL STARVATION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT TREES & CRASHED AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO GLIDE TO AN OPEN FIELD. THERE WERE APRX 6 GALS OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE ACFT'S LOWER (MAIN) FUEL TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N69GM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ACRODUSTER SA-750
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 5
- Airframe hours: 102
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Anthony Debevc
- Registered owner: Debevc, Tony
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 1988, 21 hours before
- Departed: PVZ
- Destination: PVZ
- Airport: PVZ, Casement

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,450 total, 1,400 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLE

## 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 19890813028989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890813028989A), Aug 13, 1989: Amtrso ACRODUSTER2, Painesville, OH, Substantial damage. Took off with fuel selector on empty tank. Engine quit. Cleared trees and crashed in open field.

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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