# NTSB DEN05CA144: Bradford Haines Glastar, N46289, Spanish Fork, UT, September 13, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 13, 2005, 16:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Spanish Fork, UT
- Coordinates: 40.141666, -111.661666
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1417&lon=-111.6617&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62506
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN05CA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62506/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05CA144

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to strain the fuel prior to flight resulting in fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the loss of engine power due to the plugged fuel filter.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - refueling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,filter - blocked(partial) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

The pilot stated he added 9 gallons of automotive fuel to the left tank prior to the flight. He stated that this fuel was not filtered or strained prior to or during the refueling. While on downwind, the engine began to shutter. The pilot continued to troubleshoot the situation and was able to maintain engine power with full throttle only. He elected to land at an adjacent field. During the landing roll, he stated he was "unable to stop before the end of the field" and impacted a ditch. The airplane was substantially damaged. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed that the fuel filter was plugged.

## Factual narrative

This report is based on information received by the NTSB.  Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case.  For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N46289 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bradford Haines Glastar
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 5621
- Engines: Bradford Haines Eggenfullner 156 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: U77, SPANISH FORK, UT
- Airport: U77, Spanish Fork-Springville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 10 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: PVU, 5 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 20050913020629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050913020629A), Sep 13, 2005: Amtr GLASTAR, Spanish Fork, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot said he departed the Spanish Fork airport on a flight to evaluate the need to install a rudder trim tab on the experimental aircraft and also…

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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