# NTSB CHI98LA233: Wicks FLY Baby, N40349, Blissfield, MI, July 2, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1998, 08:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Blissfield, MI
- Coordinates: 41.829128, -83.860992 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8291&lon=-83.8610&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 May 19, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA233

## Probable cause

the pilot's misjudging of the fuel supply and his inadequate aircraft preflight.  A factor was fuel exhaustion,

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing

## Analysis

During the initial climb the engine suffered a loss of power.  Post accident inspection of the airplane failed to reveal any smell of fuel on or around the wreckage.  There was no fuel spill on the ground.  Only unusable fuel was found in the tank.  No other mechanical anomalies were found during the post accident examination.

## Factual narrative

On July 2, 1998, at 0800 eastern daylight time, a Wicks Fly Baby, N40349, piloted by a commercial pilot, received substantial damage when it impacted the terrain, during a forced landing after a loss of engine power during takeoff from runway 27 (2,585' X 100') at the Betz Airport, Blissfield, Michigan.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 local flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The pilot reported minor injuries.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

During the forced landing the airplane nosed over.  Initial emergency response personnel indicated no smell of fuel in or around the wreckage.  There was no evidence of a fuel spill on the ground.  When the airplane was righted only unusable fuel was found in the tank.  No other mechanical anomalies were found during the post accident examination.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40349](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40349-2013-11-07), registration cancelled 2013-11-07, S/N WICKS 1, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Wicks FLY BABY
- Registry model: [Wicks William FLYBABY](https://openairdocs.org/model/wicks-william-flybaby) (registry code 05625P4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: WICKS 1
- Airframe hours: 6
- Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William L. Wicks
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 44G

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARB, 24 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 19980702015809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980702015809A), Jul 2, 1998: Amtr FLYBABY, Blissfield, MI, Substantial damage. Acft crashed after takeoff, Blissfield, MI (.19)on July 2, 1998, at 0800 easter daylight time (EDT), w wicks fly baby, N40349, piloted by a commercial pilot,…

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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