# NTSB DEN90DTG01: Adams Boredom Fighter, N317MA, Finley, ND, May 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1990, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Finley, ND
- Coordinates: 47.510902, -97.829391 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5109&lon=-97.8294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17801
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90DTG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17801/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90DTG01

## Probable cause

A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXAHUSTION AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE FUEL PLANNING. A FACTOR WAS THE DITCH IN WHICH TOUCHDOWN OCCURRED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DUE TO AN UNEXPECTED HEADWIND THE AIRPLANE WAS RUNNING LOW ON FUEL AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND SHORT OF HIS INTENDED DESTINATION. DURING APPROACH FUEL EXHAUSTION RESULTED IN A TOTAL POWER LOSS. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A DITCH ON THE DOWNWIND SIDE OF A ROAD. THE PILOT LISTED AS SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS 'BETTER FUEL PLANNING AND BETTER FLIGHT PLANNING.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N317MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N317MA-2010-07-02), registration cancelled 2010-07-02, S/N 100, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ADAMS BOREDOM FIGHTER (BOREDOM FI)
- Registry model: [Adams Steven J BOREDOM FIGHTER M](https://openairdocs.org/model/adams-steven-j-boredom-fighter-m) (registry code 05616FU) (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: 100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Adams, Steven J.
- Departed: DVL, DEVILS LAKE, ND
- Destination: FAR, FARGO, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 828 total, 40 in this make and model, 828 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900519016729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900519016729A), May 19, 1990: Amtr BOREDOMFITER, Finley, ND, Substantial damage. Low on fuel due headwind. Diverted but ran out of fuel short of airport. Landed in a road ditch.

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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