- Date
- January 23, 1994, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place
- Stafford, KS
- Injuries
- 1 serious
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- UNREGPlummer Supercat
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 14, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 9456
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion, and his failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an aerodynamic stall. His inadequate training was a factor in the accident.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot was not qualified to fly the amateur built airplane. He was not certificated as required by the FAA, and no record of formal training was claimed. The pilot stated that while cruising about 2000 feet AGL, the airplane lost all engine power. While he was turning to change direction, the airplane stalled. The pilot was able to regain control at approximately 100 to 200 feet AGL before impacting the ground. Postaccident examination revealed no fuel in the fuel tank.
Factual narrative
On January 23, 1994, about 1545 central standard time, an amateur built, unregistered "Supercat" airplane, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near the Stafford Airport, Stafford, Kansas. The solo uncertificated pilot received serious injury during the subsequent forced landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight.
The pilot stated that while cruising at approximately 2000 feet above ground level (AGL), the airplane lost all engine power. He immediately turned the airplane to change direction, and the airplane stalled. The pilot was able to regain control of the airplane approximately 100 to 200 feet AGL before impacting the ground.
Postaccident examination revealed no fuel in the fuel tank and only a few drops of fuel in the gascolator.
The pilot claimed no formal flight training and no record of flight training or pilot certification was discovered.
Aircraft
- Registration
- UNREG
- Reported as
- Plummer Supercat
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Engine
- Zenoah G50, 45 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- James Plummer
- Registered owner
- James Plummer
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 48
- Medical
- Unknown
- Seat
- Center
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 59 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- GBD, 25 nm away