# NTSB CHI94LA196: Popehn Arthur J. Coot A, N123AP, Circle Pines, MN, June 10, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 10, 1994, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Circle Pines, MN - Coordinates: 45.130596, -93.150451 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1306&lon=-93.1505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9565 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9565/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA196 ## Probable cause the pilot-in-command's inattention to the fuel supply. Factors were the pilot-in-command's diverted attention, his not performing refueling, and rough/uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel system,tank - exhaustion - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT OF THE AMATEUR BUILT AIRPLANE STATED THAT HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED TO THE OIL TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE GAGES DURING THE FLIGHT AND HE FAILED TO MONITOR FUEL CONSUMPTION. WHEN HE REALIZED THAT THE FUEL STATE WAS LOW, HE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION AND HE ELECTED TO CONDUCT A FORCED LANDING OFF THE AIRPORT. DURING THE LANDING THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. ## Factual narrative On June 10, 1994, at 1230 central daylight time, a Coot A, N123AF, registered to Arthur J. Popehn of Plymouth, Minnesota, and operated by a commercial pilot, experienced a loss of engine power. During a forced landing the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot received serious injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed at 0845. According to the pilot, his attention was focused on the oil temperature and pressure gages on the newly overhauled engine. The engine had previous problems with oil leaks and the pilot stated he was attempting to determine the source of the leak. The pilot stated he was 10 miles north of Anoka County Airport when he realized that the fuel quantity gage read empty. He then descended from 5,000 feet to approximately 3,000 feet mean sea level into a southwest wind. The engine started to sputter as the airplane entered a mid-field downwind for runway 17 at the Anoka County Airport. The pilot stated that when he realized the airplane would not reach the runway, he elected to land in a pasture between a barn and a large grove of trees. He stated that during the forced landing the airplane encountered rough terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N123AP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123AP-1996-11-04), registration cancelled 1996-11-04, S/N AP01 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: POPEHN ARTHUR J. COOT A - Registry model: [Popehn Arthur John COOT A](https://openairdocs.org/model/popehn-arthur-john-coot-a) (registry code 05623TL) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: AP01 - Airframe hours: 40 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-335-B 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Popehn, Arthur J. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 1994, 14 hours before - Departed: ANE, ANOKA, MN - Airport: ANE, Anoka County Airport, runway 17, 4,856 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,994 total, 31 in this make and model, 1,693 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MIC, 8 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 19940610014919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940610014919A), Jun 10, 1994: Amtrta COOTAMPHIB1A, Circle Pines, MN, Destroyed. Distracted by high oil temp and rough engine. Ran out of fuel. Crash landed in a field. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.