# NTSB CHI94DER03: Smart CP 301, N60AG, Remer, MN, September 8, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1994, 09:55 local (14:55 UTC)
- Place: Remer, MN
- Coordinates: 47.049427, -93.910682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0494&lon=-93.9107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9349
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94DER03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9349/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94DER03

## Probable cause

the failure of the alternator/electrical system, and subsequent total loss of engine power during cruise flight over wooded terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - electrical system,alternator - failure,total (cause)
  - electrical system,battery - discharged
  - ignition system - disabled
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE, FOLLOWED BY A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A WOODED AREA.  POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ALTERNATOR HAD FAILED.  THE AIRPLANE ENGINE WAS A CONVERTED SUBARU AUTOMOTIVE ENGINE, WITH ELECTRONIC IGNITION AND FUEL INJECTION.  THE AIRPLANE HAD ABOUT 45 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME.

## Factual narrative

On September 8, 1994, at 0955 central daylight time, a Smart CP 301, N60AG, operated by the owner/builder/private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in a wooded area near Remer, Minnesota.  The private pilot, the sole occupant, received serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed.  The personal flight originated from Park Rapids, Minnesota at 0915, with an intended destination of Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

The pilot reported the homebuilt airplane was en route to Grand Rapids when it experienced a loss of electrical power due to alternator failure.  The pilot stated after the initial loss of electrical power, there was a loss of engine RPM, so he started towards a grass landing strip at Remer, Minnesota.  As the airplane neared the airstrip, there was a total loss of engine power.  The pilot set up a power off glide and tried to land near a road in a wooded area.  The airplane descended through trees and came to rest in a swampy area near the road.

Postaccident investigation revealed the airplane engine was a conversion of a Subaru automotive engine, with electronic ignition and fuel injection.  While en route to the grass airstrip, the battery failed, followed by a total loss of engine power.  Maintenance records indicated the airplane had about 45 hours total flight time since it received its airworthiness certificate.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60AG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60AG-1997-10-08), registration cancelled 1997-10-08, S/N AR1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMART CP 301
- Registry model: [Smart Arthur G EMERAUDE CP301](https://openairdocs.org/model/smart-arthur-g-emeraude-cp301) (registry code 05625HR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: AR1994
- Engines: SUBARU EJ22 130 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Smart, Arthur G.
- Departed: PKD, PARK RAPIDS, MN
- Destination: GPZ, GRAND RAPIDS, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 45 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19940908026499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940908026499A), Sep 8, 1994: Amtr CP301, Remer, MN, Destroyed. Electrical failure and power loss. Struck trees. Alternator failed. Lost electronic ignition and fuel injection.

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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