# NTSB CHI91DEP04: Brault Glasair SH2F, N1490, Green Bay, WI, April 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1991, 10:27 local (15:27 UTC)
- Place: Green Bay, WI
- Coordinates: 44.539131, -88.049377 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5391&lon=-88.0494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14837
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEP04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14837/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEP04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNPORTING OF THE FUEL PICK UP LINE IN FUEL TANK DURING ABRUPT OR NEGATIVE 'G' MANEUVERS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS MANEUVERING IN ATTITUDES THAT IMPOSED NEGATIVE 'G' FORCES ON THE AIRFRAME WHEN ENGINE POWER WAS LOST.  ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.  AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS INITIATED TO A PAVED ROAD.  THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A WIRE ON APPROACH AND SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED A DITCH.  EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL PICKUP LINE WAS CAPABLE OF UNPORTING WITH LOW FUEL LEVEL DURING NEGATIVE 'G' MANEUVERS.  TOTAL FUEL CAPACITY WAS 34.5 GALLONS. APPROXIMATELY 10 GALLONS OF FUEL WERE PRESENT WHEN THE ENGINE POWER FAILURE OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1490](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1490-2002-01-07), registration cancelled 2002-01-07, S/N 610, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRAULT GLASAIR SH2F
- Registry model: [Brault Robert G MD GLASAIR SH2F](https://openairdocs.org/model/brault-robert-g-md-glasair-sh2f) (registry code 056557Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 610
- Airframe hours: 341
- Engines: LYCOMING I0-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: R. G. Brault
- Registered owner: R. G. Brault
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 1990, 24 hours before
- Airport: GRB, Austin Straubel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 549 total, 350 in this make and model, 510 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 25 °F

## 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 19910411010089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910411010089A), Apr 11, 1991: Amtr GLASAIR, Green Bay, WI, Substantial damage. Unported fuel during acrobatic flight on climbout. Struck wires on forced landing. Low fuel state caused unporting.

## Other investigations on N1490 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI01LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA138), May 16, 2001: Brault Glasair SH2F (N1490), Green Bay, WI, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot allowed the airspeed to get too low and inadvertently stalled the airplane.

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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