# NTSB FTW85LA214: Dempsey Quickie, N79QD, Opelousas, LA, May 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1985, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Opelousas, LA
- Coordinates: 30.519748, -92.079307 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5197&lon=-92.0793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA214

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - wet (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (cause)

## Analysis

DURING PREFLIGHT, THE PLT ESTIMATED THAT HE HAD ABOUT 2.5 HRS OF FUEL ACCORDING TO THE GAGE. AFTER 1.5 HRS OF FLT, THE ENG QUIT IN CRUISE FLT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING IN A FLD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79QD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79QD-1989-02-06), registration cancelled 1989-02-06, S/N 279 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEMPSEY QUICKIE
- Registry model: [Dempsey John Y JR QUICKIE](https://openairdocs.org/model/dempsey-john-y-jr-quickie) (registry code 05645HC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 279
- Airframe hours: 68
- Engines: ONAN 22 22 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Y. Dempsey, Jr.
- Registered owner: John Y. Dempsey
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1985, 4 hours before
- Airport: OPL, St. Landry

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,471 total, 68 in this make and model, 68 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT, 15 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 19850504019229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850504019229A), May 4, 1985: Amtrqk QUICKIE, Opelousas, LA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel, tried emergency landing in a field. Aircraft flipped over onto its back during rollout.

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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