# NTSB CHI97LA009: Hayes Lancair 235, N90WH, Kansas City, MO, October 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 12, 1996, 11:08 local (16:08 UTC) - Place: Kansas City, MO - Coordinates: 39.090126, -94.580978 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0901&lon=-94.5810&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10478 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10478/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA009 ## Probable cause a stuck carburetor float valve which resulted in excessive fuel flow and ultimately fuel exhaustion. A factor related to the accident was the rough terrain on which the forced landing was made. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - excessive flow/output (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - landing gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot stated he took off with 8 to 10 gallons of fuel which should have been enough for approximately 1 1/2 hours of flight time. Fifteen minutes after takeoff, he noticed the fuel sight gauge was indicating a low level of fuel. He reversed course to head back to the airport. He stated that fuel exhaustion occurred eight minutes later. The airplane was substantially damaged during the off airport landing in a field. Inspection revealed a total of one cup of fuel between both wing tanks and the fuel level in the center tank was below the pick-up line level. The pilot stated he later tested the fuel system and discovered that the carburetor float valve was stuck in the open position. ## Factual narrative On October 12, 1996, at 1108 central daylight time, a Lancair 235, N90WH, registered to and operated by a private pilot collided with a ditch during a forced landing eight miles east of the Kansas City Downtown Airport, Kansas City, Missouri. The pilot stated the engine lost power when he was returning to the airport to land. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions existed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated from the Kansas City Downtown Airport at approximately 1045 cdt. The pilot stated that he visually checked the fuel tanks prior to takeoff and he estimated he had approximately 8-10 gallons of fuel which would yield 1 1/2 hours of flight time. He stated he verified the fuel level by using the sight gauge in the cockpit. The pilot stated that approximately 15 minutes into the flight he noticed the fuel sight gauge was indicating a low fuel level. He contacted Kansas City Approach Control and turned around to return to the airport. The pilot stated that approximately 8 minutes later fuel exhaustion occurred. The pilot stated he attempted to land the airplane on a gravel road but was unable to align the airplane properly due to the crosswind. He then selected a wheat field in which to land. All three landing gear separated from the airplane during the landing roll. The airplane was inspected by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Inspector who reported that approximately 1/2 cup of fuel remained in each wing fuel tank. He also reported that the fuel level in the center tank was below the pick-up line and the main fuel line to the engine did not contain any fuel. The pilot reported that after the accident he tested the fuel system and discovered that the carburetor float valve was stuck in the open position which allowed for 4 to 5 times the normal fuel flow. The FAA Inspector reported that the right side of the fuselage approximately 1/2 way between the cockpit and empennage contained an 18" long cut through the structure. The tailwheel contacted and punctured a hole in the horizontal stabilizer. The inboard 1/3 the right horizontal stabilizer leading edge was crushed back approximately 2" and the cockpit floor was crushed upward. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N90WH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90WH-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N 101920, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hayes LANCAIR 235 (LANCAIR 23) - Registry model: [Hayes George W LANCAIR 235](https://openairdocs.org/model/hayes-george-w-lancair-235) (registry code 056164U) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 101920 - Airframe hours: 85 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard J. Chevalier - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1996, 37 hours before - Departed: MKC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 406 total, 42 in this make and model, 320 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MKC, 8 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 19961012032189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961012032189A), Oct 12, 1996: Amtr LANCAIR, Kansas City, MO, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine faile and pilot made emergency landing in a 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.