# NTSB CHI94LA244: Montana Coyote, N218LW, Blaine, MN, July 26, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1994, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Blaine, MN
- Coordinates: 45.209396, -93.389617 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2094&lon=-93.3896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9608/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA244

## Probable cause

the loss of engine power due to the blocked vent line.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

While descending to land at a seaplane base, the seaplane had a complete loss of engine power.  The pilot initiated a forced landing on a lake.  The seaplane landed hard, ballooned into the air, and then stalled. Postaccident examination revealed the vent line to the right wing feeder tank was completely blocked with material similar to mud or dirt.

## Factual narrative

On July 26, 1994, at 1540 central daylight time, a Montana Coyote experimental seaplane, N218LW, had a complete loss of engine power while en route from Brandon, Minnesota, to Lino Lakes, Minnesota.  The commercial pilot made a forced landing on Golden Lake, Minnesota.  The seaplane was substantially damaged.  Neither the pilot or the sole passenger aboard were injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan.

The pilot stated the airplane's engine lost power while descending to land at Rice Lake Seaplane Base, Minnesota.  He initiated a forced landing on Golden Lake.  The seaplane landed hard, ballooned into the air, and then stalled.

A postaccident investigation revealed the vent line to the right wing feeder tank was completely blocked with a material similar to mud or dirt.  No other evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies were discovered.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N218LW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N218LW-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 10, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MONTANA COYOTE
- Registry model: [Wicks Gw/Wicks La MONTANA COYOTE](https://openairdocs.org/model/wicks-gw-wicks-la-montana-coyote) (registry code 95708FF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 10
- Airframe hours: 97
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James R. Sims
- Registered owner: James R. Sims
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1994, 10 hours before
- Departed: BRANDON, MN
- Destination: 8Y4, LINO LAKES, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19940726019349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940726019349A), Jul 26, 1994: Amtr COYOTE, Circle Pines, MN, Substantial damage. Narrative: fuel vent was plugged with mud well inside the tube. Pilot hit right wing during emergency landing.

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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