# NTSB DEN84FTG01: Lee M. Brown Taterbug SB-1, N9026T, Sawyer, ND, March 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1984, 17:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Sawyer, ND
- Coordinates: 48.019207, -101.130661 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0192&lon=-101.1307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16252
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FTG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16252/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FTG01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - fluid,fuel grade - other
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT SWITCHED FROM MAIN TANK TO AUX TANK, & ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER, THE ENG BEGAN LOSING POWER SWITCHING BACK TO THE MAIN TANK DID NOT HELP. THE ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING BUT AT GREATLY REDUCED POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FROZEN STUBBLE FIELD. THE PLT SAID HE DRAINED ABOUT 3 OUNCES OF WATER OUT OF THE MAIN FUEL STRAINER AFTER THE ACCIDENT. NO FUEL LINES WERE BROKEN AND NO TANKS RUPTURED. INVESTIGATORS FOUND VERY LITTLE FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR AND WHAT WAS FOUND WAS CONTAMINATED WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. THE PLT SAID THAT THE FUEL HAD BEEN IN THE AUX TANK SINCE LAST FALL AND HE HAD NOT DRAINED THE AUX TANK SUMP PRIOR TO FLYING. THE FUEL USED WAS A COMBINATION OF AVIATION AND AUTOMOTIVE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9026T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9026T-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 1932, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LEE M. BROWN TATERBUG SB-1 (TATERBUG S)
- Registry model: [Brown Lee M TATERBUG SB-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/brown-lee-m-taterbug-sb-1) (registry code 05655S1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1932
- Airframe hours: 91
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harry R. Steenstrup
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 2, 1983, 91 hours before
- Departed: MINOT, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 273 total, 91 in this make and model, 231 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 19840322008129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840322008129A), Mar 22, 1984: Amtr TATERBUGSB1, Sawyer, ND, Substantial damage. Engine lost power. Stall landed in a stubble corn field. Engine still running at impact. No futher details.

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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