# NTSB CHI94LA069: Plummer Supercat, Stafford, KS, January 23, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 23, 1994, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Stafford, KS
- Coordinates: 37.960624, -98.590248 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9606&lon=-98.5902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9456
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9456/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA069

## 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

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PLUMMER SUPERCAT
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: 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.

- 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

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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