# NTSB CHI90DER04: BD 4- Francisco BD-4, N853BF, Rosemount, MN, July 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1990, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Rosemount, MN
- Coordinates: 44.910564, -93.339424 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9106&lon=-93.3394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14488
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DER04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14488/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DER04

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE MANUFACTURER (AMATEUR BUILT) TO DESIGN FUEL SYSTEM ADEQUATELY TO PREVENT VAPOR LOCK IN FUEL LINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fuel system,line - blocked(total) (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON VFR DOWNWIND FOR LANDING THE AIRCRAFT SUFFERED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LAND ON THE AIRPORT AND SELECTED A CORN FIELD FOR LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED ON CONTACT WITH THE CROPS. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT THE POWER LOSS WAS DUE TO VAPOR LOCK IN THE FUEL LINE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE PILOT/OPERATOR WAS THE MANUFACTURER OF THE AMATEUR BUILT AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N853BF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N853BF), registered now, S/N 445, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BD 4- FRANCISCO BD-4
- Registry model: [Francisco Boyd Jr/Sr BD-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/francisco-boyd-jr-sr-bd-4) (registry code 11304E6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 445
- Airframe hours: 90
- Engines: FORD 230 V6A 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Boyd M. Francisco, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 25, 1990, 90 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,700 total, 397 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 1 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 86 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19900731029369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900731029369A), Jul 31, 1990: Amtrbd BEDEBD4, Rosemount, MN, Substantial damage. Engine quit on downwind for runway. Landed off airport in tall corn. Had fuel line vapor lock. No fuel line cooler.

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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