# NTSB CHI89DEP09: Cabrinha/Free Spirit 412, N412RC, Waukesha, WI, July 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1989, 08:59 local (13:59 UTC)
- Place: Waukesha, WI
- Location: 43.0091° N, 88.2451° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Waukesha, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0091&lon=-88.2451&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14211
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEP09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14211/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEP09

## Probable cause

THE PLT BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED AND ALLOWED FUEL EXHAUSTION TO OCCUR BEFORE ACCOMPLISHING REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND THE ROAD SIGN AND VEHICLES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing
  - object - sign (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - flare - not possible
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N412RC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N412RC-2011-03-17), registration cancelled 2011-03-17, S/N 85-412-001, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CABRINHA/FREE SPIRIT 412
- Registry model: [Cabrinha Richard FREE SPIRIT 412](https://openairdocs.org/model/cabrinha-richard-free-spirit-412) (registry code 05613SN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 85412001
- Airframe hours: 142
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard E. Cabrinha, doing business as Cabrinha Aircraft Corporation
- Registered owner: Richard E Cabrinha
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 1989, 12 hours before
- Departed: SFD, SIOUX FALLS, SD
- Destination: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 750 total, 100 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UES, 3 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 19890728025709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890728025709A), Jul 28, 1989: Amtrcn FREESPRT412, Waukesha, WI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel struck a vehicle and road sign landing on a highway after main gear failed on a hard landing.

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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