# NTSB CHI89DEM05: Gatzemeyer 88 ACRO-SPORT II, N55NG, Escanaba, MI, August 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1989, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Escanaba, MI
- Coordinates: 42.580509, -84.439689 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5805&lon=-84.4397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEM05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14197/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEM05

## Probable cause

A LOOSE FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE CARBURETOR AND ENGINE WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: NO SUITABLE TERRAIN.

## 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,line - loose (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS TURNED ON AND POWER WAS MOMENTARILY REGAINED. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A BEACH DURING WHICH THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ON TOUCHDOWN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE BETWEEN THE CARBURETOR AND ENGINE WAS LOOSE. FUEL STAINS WERE FOUND NEAR THE LOOSE CONNECTION INSIDE THE ENGINE COWLING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55NG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55NG-1997-03-05), registration cancelled 1997-03-05, S/N 005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GATZEMEYER 88 ACRO-SPORT II (ACRO-SPORT)
- Registry model: [Gatzemeyer Norman J ACRO SPORT II](https://openairdocs.org/model/gatzemeyer-norman-j-acro-sport-ii) (registry code 05655PP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 005
- Airframe hours: 48
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norman J. Gatzemeyer
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1989, 23 hours before
- Departed: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Destination: ESC, ESCANABA, MI

## 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: rear; flight hours: 500 total, 46 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890802026709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890802026709A), Aug 2, 1989: Amtrea ACROSPORT, Escanaba, MI, Substantial damage. Fuel line to engine broke on approach to airport. Crash landed on a beach in soft sand.

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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