# NTSB CHI91DEM08: Fisher FT101, N52KP, Sparta, MI, August 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1991, 19:46 local (Aug 19, 1991, 00:46 UTC)
- Place: Sparta, MI
- Coordinates: 43.150047, -85.699554 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1500&lon=-85.6996&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 December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14833
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEM08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14833/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEM08

## Probable cause

AN IMPROPER PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE PILOT.  FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE INADEQUATE ALTITUDE FOR THE TURN BACK TOWARDS THE RUNWAY AND THE STALL/SPIN ENCOUNTERED BY THE PILOT.

## 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 - contamination
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
  - stall/spin - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

THE SINGLE ENGINE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE SAT OUTSIDE DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM ACCORDING TO A WITNESS.  THE STORM PASSED BY AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE. A WITNESS STATED HE OBSERVED THE PILOT SIT IN THE AIRPLANE RUNNING THE ENGINE FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES BEFORE TAKEOFF.  DURING CLIMBOUT THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE CEASED OPERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 150 TO 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.  STATEMENT FROM WITNESSES CONFLICT WITH EACH OTHER.  TWO STATED THE ENGINE GRADUALLY LOST POWER, ONE STATED THE ENGINE STOPPED AFTER SOUNDING LIKE IT HAD A FOULED SPARKPLUG.  THE PILOT STATED THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO WATER IN THE FUEL TANK.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT DUE TO OBSTRUCTIONS WHICH WERE IN HIS EMERGENCY LANDING DESCENT PATH.  THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO STALL AND SPIN UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND.  AN ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT NO FUEL EXISTED IN THE AIRPLANES FUEL TANK OR CARBURETOR FLOAT BOWL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52KP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52KP-1992-08-19), registration cancelled 1992-08-19, S/N KP1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FISHER FT101
- Registry model: [Porritt Kenneth H FP-101](https://openairdocs.org/model/porritt-kenneth-h-fp-101) (registry code 05616PP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: KP-1
- Engines: KAWASAKI TA440A-F204 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Keneth Porritt
- Registered owner: Keneth Porritt
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: NONE, Wilderness, runway 9, 2,615 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 480 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19910818034579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910818034579A), Aug 18, 1991: Amtr FISHER, Sparta, MI, Destroyed. Lost power shortly after takeoff and crashed. No fuel found in tank or carburetor.

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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