# NTSB CHI98LA352: Fieseler Flugzeugbau F-156C-1, N447FC, Irish Hills, MI, September 20, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 20, 1998, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Irish Hills, MI - Coordinates: 41.890491, -84.04 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8905&lon=-84.0400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44004 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA352 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44004/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA352 ## Probable cause the pilot selected to operate the airplane with a known deficiency. A factor in this accident was the vapor lock experienced by the engine's carburetor. ## 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,carburetor - vapor lock (contributing factor) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - wire,transmission - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The World War II vintage airplane's engine experienced a total loss of power shortly after takeoff. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with electrical power lines and the ground. The pilot said the airplane's engine had been experiencing vapor lock problems in the past and that the engine had quit in the same manner as before. The airplane's fuel tank had leaked about 25-gallons of fuel on the ground after the accident had occurred. According to the pilot, the airplane's side cowling assemblies were taken off when the outside air temperature (OAT) exceeded 45-degrees Fahrenheit. This was supposed to eliminate the vapor lock potential. The OAT on the day of the accident was 80- degrees Fahrenheit. The airplane's side cowling had been removed before the accident flight. No other mechanical anomalies were found that would identify why the engine experienced a total loss of power. ## Factual narrative On September 20, 1998, at 1015 eastern standard time, a Fiesler F-156C-1 Storch, N447FC, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with electrical power lines and the ground while maneuvering during a forced landing approach. The pilot reported the engine experienced a total loss of power during the airplane's initial climb out from takeoff. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed from a restricted landing area near Onsted, Michigan, exact time unknown. According to the pilot's written statement, "Past the end of the runway and above the trees, the engine lost power... ." He said he was unable to identify any engine sound changes because of the headphones he was wearing. The pilot's wife said the airplane began climbing above the trees "...but then we did not continue to climb... " The on-scene investigation revealed about 35 gallons of fuel was in the fuel tanks. According to the Lenawee County Michigan, Sheriff's Office, about 25 gallons leaked from the right wing's fuel tank. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI), the pilot stated the airplane's engine had been experiencing vapor lock problems before the accident flight. The pilot said this was a design problem that is usually corrected by removing the side cowling from the airplane's 4-piece cowl structure. The pilot said the airplane was operated in this manner during World War II. He provided photographs showing the airplane with and without the side cowling installed. According to the PMI, the pilot said the vapor lock problem had caused the engine to quit in the past. The vapor lock problems occur when the outside air temperature (OAT)is above 45-degrees fahrenheit, according to the pilot. The side cowls were removed from the airplane before the accident flight. The PMI said the OAT was 80-degrees at the time of the accident. No mechanical anomalies were found that would identify why the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N447FC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N447FC-2012-05-30), registration cancelled 2012-05-30, S/N 4471 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fieseler Flugzeugbau F-156C-1 - Registry model: [Fieseler FI-156-C1](https://openairdocs.org/model/fieseler-fi-156-c1) (registry code 05613LT) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4471 - Airframe hours: 286 - Engines: ARGUS AS-10-C 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Howard M. Clark - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1998, 5 hours before - Departed: RLA, ONSTED, MI - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,896 total, 33 in this make and model, 2,799 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 5 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ADG, 10 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 19980920025499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980920025499A), Sep 20, 1998: Amtr FI156C1, Irish Hills, MI, Substantial damage. Acft lost power during takeoff and crashed on pentacost road. (.19) on September 20, 1998, at 1020 eastern standard time, a fiesler F-156C-1 storch, N447FC,… 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.