# NTSB CHI97LA190: Dietrich Nieuport 12, N169RD, Byron, MI, June 29, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 1997, 15:36 local (19:36 UTC) - Place: Byron, MI - Coordinates: 42.820873, -83.939926 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8209&lon=-83.9399&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10615 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10615/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA190 ## Probable cause The owner/pilot mechanic's inadequate inspection of the aircraft which led to contamination (other than water) of the fuel filter. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - fuel system,filter - contamination,other than water (cause) - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, owner/pilot mechanic (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) - evasive maneuver - performed, pilot in command - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot said that the accident flight was the first flight following repairs made to the engine. He indicated that while preparing the airplane for the flight, several 'mud-wasp' nests were found and removed. He said that during the initial climb the engine began to lose power. The airplane was able to clear trees 300' beyond the end of the runway; however then encountered a stall/spin into trees and the terrain. Contamination was found in the left fuel filter which the pilot indicated in all likelihood came from an insect nest which was not cleared from the fuel line after the repairs. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 1997, at 1536 eastern daylight time, an amateur built, Nieuport 12, N169RD, was destroyed during impact with trees and the terrain after takeoff from a private sod strip near Byron, Michigan. The private pilot received serious injuries. Witnesses stated that the engine suffered a loss of power during climb and they observed the airplane turning as though to return to the airport. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that this was to be the first flight after a repair of the engine. He said that several "mud-wasp" nests were removed from various portions of the airplane which has accumulated while the airplane was inactive. He said that on initial climb the engine began to lose power. He said that there were a row of trees 300 feet from the departure end of the runway. The airplane initially cleared the trees, but in the pilots words "the plane stall-spun into a swamp." Subsequent examination of the accident airplane revealed contamination in the filter for the left carburetor, which the pilot indicated in all likelihood came from an insect nest which was not cleared from the fuel line which was open to the elements while the airplane was inactive. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N169RD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N169RD-2018-01-02), registration cancelled 2018-01-02, S/N 005, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DIETRICH NIEUPORT 12 (NIEUPORT 1) - Registry model: [Dietrich Richard W NIEUPORT 12](https://openairdocs.org/model/dietrich-richard-w-nieuport-12) (registry code 0564041) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 005 - Airframe hours: 95 - Engines: Chevrolet 6-164 95 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard W. Dietrich - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 29, 1997, 0 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 223 total, 75 in this make and model, 144 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KFN, 15 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 19970629016159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970629016159A), Jun 29, 1997: Amtr NIEUPORT12, Byron, MI, Destroyed. (.4)The pilot said that the accident flight was the first flight following repairs made to the engine. He indicated that while preparing the airplane for the… 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.