# NTSB DEN89LA181: Callair A-9, N8246H, Cartwright, ND, July 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1989, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Cartwright, ND
- Coordinates: 47.86024, -103.93048 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8602&lon=-103.9305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17755/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA181

## Probable cause

A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED CARBURETOR WHICH RESULTED IN AN EXCESSIVE RICH FUEL-AIR MIXTURE. THIS REQUIRED A FORCED LANDING IN AN AREA WHERE NO SUITABLE TERRAIN EXISTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fuel system,carburetor - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,line - fire (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS SPRAYING THIOLUX ON A FIELD AND HAD JUST PULLED UP FROM SWATH RUN WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND NOTED ENGINE RPM DECAY. GROUND WITNESSES ALSO HEARD THE BANG AND OBSERVED DARK SMOKE TRAILING FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AN ALFALFA FIELD. THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. A SMALL CARBURETOR FIRE WAS ALSO EXTINGUISHED. THE ENGINE AND CARBURETOR WERE PARTIALLY DISASSEMBLED. EVIDENCE OF AN EXTREMELY RICH MIXTURE, BACKFIRE, AND CARBURETOR FIRE WAS FOUND. ALL THE SPARK PLUGS WERE BLACK. THE CARBURETOR WAS OVERHAULED IN 1987 BECAUSE THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH AND WOULD NOT DEVELOP FULL POWER, REGARDLESS OF MIXTURE CONTROL SETTING. THE CARBURETOR HAD ACCUMULATED 300 HOURS SINCE OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8246H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8246H), registered now, S/N 1119, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CALLAIR A-9
- Registry model: [Callair A-9](https://openairdocs.org/model/callair-a-9) (registry code 1850120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1119
- Engines: JACOBS R-755-A2M 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Air Specialties, Inc.
- Registered owner: Air Specialties Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 1989, 157 hours before
- Departed: SDY, SIDNEY, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,548 total, 400 in this make and model, 3,433 as pilot in command, 415 in the last 90 days, 103 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19890728029169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890728029169A), Jul 28, 1989: Airpts A9, Cartwright, ND, Substantial damage. Engine quit after backfiring. Crashed on landing. Possible carburetor set too rich and or carb icing. Auto fuel used

## Other investigations on N8246H (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA80DTA11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80DTA11), Apr 24, 1980: Callair A-9 (N8246H), Bloomfield, MT, substantial damage

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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