# NTSB CHI96LA250: Poppenhagen PUD Knocker Special, N380BP, Grafton, ND, July 19, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 19, 1996, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Grafton, ND - Coordinates: 48.410739, -97.400932 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4107&lon=-97.4009&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 September 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10320 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA250 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10320/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA250 ## Probable cause the inadequate fuel system design by the builder which led to fuel starvation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system - inadequate (cause) - acft/equip,inadequate design, owner/builder (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - roadway/highway - terrain condition - crop - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The engine sustained a total loss of power during climb out from runway 17. Following the loss of power the pilot turned the airplane 180 degrees and attempted to land on runway 35. The airplane landed approximately 2 blocks short of the runway 35 threshold. During the landing the airplane crossed a road and came to rest in a wheat field. The airplane's fuel system had been redesigned by the builder. The pilot reported that the engine quit because the fuel line pick up on the right fuel tank became uncovered during climb. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 1996, at 1115 central daylight time (cdt), a Experimental Pud Knocker Special, N380BP, sustained substantial damage following a loss of power at the Grafton Municipal Airport, Grafton, North Dakota. The airplane had 5 hours of total flight time, and had just departed from runway 17. The private pilot sustained minor injuries in the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan had been filed. The airplane was on initial climb out after departing runway 17 at the Grafton Municipal Airport. During the climb the pilot reported that the airplane's engine sustained a total loss of power. Following the loss of power the pilot reported that he turned the airplane 180 degrees, and was attempting to land on runway 35. The pilot reported that the airplane landed approximately 2 blocks short of the runway 35 threshold. During the landing the airplane crossed a road and came to rest in a wheat field. The airplane's fuel system had been redesigned by the builder. The pilot of N380BP wrote on NTSB form 6120.1/2 that the engine quit because the fuel line pick up on the right fuel tank became uncovered during climb. The airplanes's wing struts, wing strut attachment fittings and fuselage lower longeron were bent in the accident. The bungee chord tubes and the right landing gear tube were separated from the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N380BP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N380BP), registered now, S/N 1, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: POPPENHAGEN PUD KNOCKER SPECIAL (PUD KNOCKE) - Registry model: [Poppenhagen Byron PUD KNOCKER SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/poppenhagen-byron-pud-knocker-special) (registry code 05616JX) (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: 1 - Airframe hours: 5 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Byron Poppenhagen - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: GAF - Destination: GAF - Airport: GAF, Grafton Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 8,000 total, 5 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 185 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GFK ## 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 19960719018879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960719018879A), Jul 19, 1996: Crafton, ND, Substantial damage. Crashed during touch and go landings. (-23) on July 19, 1996, about 1130 local time (CDT), an experimental aircraft, pudknocker special, N380BP, sustained… 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.