# NTSB CHI96LA044: Herring Sport FAN, N95SF, Newton, KS, December 1, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1995, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Newton, KS
- Coordinates: 37.559722, -97.13018 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5597&lon=-97.1302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA044

## Probable cause

a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor related to the accident was the presence of traffic requiring the pilot to perform an evasive maneuver.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - miscellaneous,engine - low compression
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - evasive maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

During takeoff, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid traffic. As a result, the airspeed became too low and the descent rate could not be stopped. The airplane slid off the paved roadway into a ravine. Postaccident examination revealed the engine had low compression in one of the two cylinders. The pilot stated he thought the loss of power resulted from an ignition problem.

## Factual narrative

On December 1, 1995, at 1300 central standard time (cst), a Herring Dana Sport Fan, N95SF, owned and operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, shortly after takeoff from runway 17 at Newton City Airport, Kansas.  The pilot reported minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan.

From the pilot's written statement, the airplane made a normal takeoff, at approximately 300 feet the engine lost total power.  After an unsuccessful restart, the pilot attempted to land on a paved road.  The pilot stated, "...glide was extended to avoid traffic.  As a result, the airspeed was too low and descent rate could not be arrested ... ."  The airplane came to rest in a ravine alongside the road.

Post accident examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI), revealed low compression on one out of the two cylinders.  The pilot/owner believes the problem might have been an ignition problem.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95SF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95SF-2006-07-11), registration cancelled 2006-07-11, S/N DH1001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HERRING SPORT FAN
- Registry model: [Herring Dana C SPORT FAN](https://openairdocs.org/model/herring-dana-c-sport-fan) (registry code 0566056) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: DH001
- Airframe hours: 5
- Engines: BMW R-R R100/7 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Herring, Dana
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 1995, 3 hours before
- Departed: EWK
- Airport: EWK, Newton County, runway 17, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 218 total, 5 in this make and model, 218 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWK

## 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 19951201039459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951201039459A), Dec 1, 1995: Amtr SPORTFAN, Newton, KS, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Stalled stretching glide to clear traffic on a road. One of 2 cylinders had low compression

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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