# NTSB CHI96LA344: Rozendaal Smith Innovation, N2982, Hampton, IA, September 22, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 22, 1996, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Hampton, IA - Coordinates: 42.740211, -93.200332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7402&lon=-93.2003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10396 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA344 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10396/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA344 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane and his improper decision to perform a low altitude manuever with a low fuel supply. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis While performing a low pass to cut a ribbon for an airport grand opening ceremony, the pilot, after successfully cutting the ribbon, pulled up into a climb and turned crosswind. He experienced a total loss of power and landed in a soybean field. A postcrash inspection revealed low fuel quantity. ## Factual narrative On September 22, 1996, at 1345 central daylight time (cdt), a Smith Innovation, N2982, operated and owned by an airline transport pilot, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power while conducting a low pass to perform a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Hampton Municipal Airport, Hampton, Iowa. The airplane made a subsequent forced landing in an open field northwest of the Airport. 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. The flight departed Mason City Municipal Airport, Mason City, Iowa, at 1335 cdt. According to the pilot's written statement, while en route from Mason City Airport to Hampton Airport, he was asked by the airport manager (whose airplane would not start) to perform a ribbon cutting for the Hampton Municipal Airport grand opening ceremonies. The pilot performed an low approach to runway 18 then climbed out to re-enter for a straight in approach for runway 36. After successfully cutting the ribbon, the pilot experienced a total power loss while climbing out and turning crosswind for a full stop landing. The pilot turned into the wind and landed in a soybean field west of the airport. A Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) represented the NTSB on-scene. The PMI said the airplane's fuel gauge was a clear plastic line running from the top to the bottom of the tank, with the fuel level indicator being near the lower part of the tube. The fuel system had an ON/OFF selector valve on the right side of the cockpit, which was in the "OFF" position. The PMI took a fuel sample, which showed no indication of water or other contaminants, and the fuel was blue in color. The fuel tank filler was marked 19 gallons tank capacity and a visual inspection of the fuel capacity indicated only a small amount in the tank. The PMI inspected the powerplant which appeared to be in good condition. No oil leaks were noted and the oil quantity level was normal. The engine rotated by hand using the propeller with good compression indication on all four cylinders. In addition, the ignition leads showed sparking at the plugs during the rotations. All engine controls operated with no unusual binding noted and full travel was noted at the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2982](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2982-2013-02-25), registration cancelled 2013-02-25, S/N 5721129, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rozendaal SMITH INNOVATION (SMITH INNO) - Registry model: [Smith INOVATION](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-inovation) (registry code 0560610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 5721129 - Airframe hours: 225 - Engines: Lycoming TIP0-290-D2 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas N. Rozendaal - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1995, 45 hours before - Departed: MCW, MASON CITY, IA - Destination: HPT - Airport: HPT, Hampton Municipal, runway 35, 4,005 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,500 total, 110 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MCW, 28 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 19960922029169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960922029169A), Sep 22, 1996: Hampton, IA, Substantial damage. Made low pass to cut ribbon at airport, radioed going down, landed short of runway in open 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.