# NTSB CHI92DEM04: Hauser, William C. Cassutt, N881, Winn, MI, July 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1992, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Winn, MI
- Coordinates: 43.520385, -84.899566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5204&lon=-84.8996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15240
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DEM04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15240/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DEM04

## Probable cause

THE DITCH THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED DURING THE LANDING ROLL PHASE OF A FORCED LANDING.

## 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
  - ignition system,ignition lead - contamination (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,modification - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - corroded (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, cruise - normal
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING A FLIGHT IN PREPARATION FOR AN AIR RACE THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE CEASED OPERATION DURING CRUISE.  THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING IN A BEAN FIELD.  DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DITCH THE PILOT HAD NOT OBSERVED PRIOR TO THE LANDING.  THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ENGINE WAS MODIFIED AND WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A STARTER, FUEL BOOST PUMP, OR ENGINE PRIMER.  THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL TANK CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY THREE GALLONS OF AUTO FUEL.  THE IGNITION SPARK LEADS HAD WATER CONTAMINATION ON THEM AT THE MAGNETO ATTACH POINT. CORROSION WAS OBSERVED ON THE MAGNETO HARNESS BLOCK AND DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK SPRING.  THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES WERE AUTOMOTIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N881](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N881), registered now, S/N CWH101, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HAUSER, WILLIAM C. CASSUTT
- Registry model: [Houser Clarence W CASSUTT](https://openairdocs.org/model/houser-clarence-w-cassutt) (registry code 1970131) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CWH 101
- Airframe hours: 60
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Phillip C. Pettyjohn, doing business as 
- Registered owner: Philip C Pettyjohn
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1992, 10 hours before
- Departed: M153

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 18,000 total, 10 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HTL, 53 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 19920722026729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920722026729A), Jul 22, 1992: Amtrsx CASSUTT1, Winn, MI, Substantial damage. Engine lost power. Landed in ditch. Nosed over. Water in magneto. Valve springs and rocker arms installed incorrect

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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