# NTSB CHI95LA006: Johnson A-4, N1730H, Laporte, IN, October 6, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1994, 16:09 local (21:09 UTC)
- Place: Laporte, IN
- Coordinates: 41.600402, -86.710647 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6004&lon=-86.7106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9773
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9773/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA006

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadvertant stall of the airplane while conducting a forced landing.  A factor was the engine failure which occurred for an undetermined reason.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, emergency landing after takeoff
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH ABOUT 200 FEET, HE NOTICED THAT HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN HIS CLIMB RATE. HE NOTICED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  HE MADE A 'NEAR STALL, 90 DEGREE RIGHT TURN' AND CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING IN A SMALL FIELD.  A WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE AND APPEARED TO BE FLYING CLOSE TO A STALL.  HE SAID THE PLANE 'APPARENTLY HIT NOSE AND RIGHT WING FIRST.'  FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTORS, WHO EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE, REPORTED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION.  INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM, MAGNETO, ENGINE, AND CARBURETOR REVEALED NO ANOMALIES.

## Factual narrative

On October 6, 1994, at 1609 central daylight time, an experimental Johnson A-4, N1730H, was destroyed following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip in LaPorte, Indiana.  The private pilot sustained serious injury.  The planned destination for the personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight was Michigan City, Indiana.  No flight plan was filed.

In his written statement, the pilot reported that while climbing through about 200 feet, he noticed that he could not maintain his climb rate.  He noticed a loss of engine power.  He made a "near stall, 90 degree right turn" and conducted a forced landing in a small field.

According to an aircraft accident report completed by the LaPorte County Police Department, the pilot said he "attempted to make an emergency landing in the field but did not have enough airspeed to maneuver properly."

The brother of the pilot, a witness to the accident, reported that the airplane reached a maximum height of about 150 feet.  It began losing altitude and appeared to be flying close to a stall.  He said the plane "apparently hit nose and right wing first."

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspectors, who examined the wreckage, reported no evidence of preimpact malfunction.  The fuel tank and strainer contained fuel.  Both blades of the wood propellor were fractured from the hub.  The magneto was operationally checked and functioned normally.  Inspection of the fuel system, engine, and carburetor revealed no anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1730H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1730H-1995-05-03), registration cancelled 1995-05-03, S/N 1000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOHNSON A-4
- Registry model: [Johnson A-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-a-4) (registry code 0564417) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1000
- Engines: Volkswagen H 55 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gregory J. Nowak
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Destination: MGC, MICHIGAN CITY, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 20 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 19941006033739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941006033739A), Oct 6, 1994: Airpts A4, Laporta, IN, Destroyed. Reported power loss on takeoff. Prop shows power at impact. Was climbing nose high behind power curve. Stalled.

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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