# NTSB FTW88DPA04: Atkins ACRO-SPORT, N5897, Fort Worth, TX, July 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1988, 19:55 local (Jul 22, 1988, 00:55 UTC)
- Place: Fort Worth, TX
- Coordinates: 32.720405, -97.449089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7204&lon=-97.4491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22444
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DPA04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22444/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DPA04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PERSONAL FLIGHT, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING INTO AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED TO THE INVERTED POSITION. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE TANK OR FUEL SYSTEM AND NO FUEL SPILLED ON THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5897](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5897-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 356 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ATKINS ACRO-SPORT
- Registry model: [Atkins ACRO-SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/atkins-acro-sport) (registry code 0564609) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 356
- Airframe hours: 174
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael L. Minear
- Registered owner: Minear, Michael L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1987, 14 hours before
- Airport: F71, Luck Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 142 total, 4 in this make and model, 97 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880721027719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880721027719A), Jul 21, 1988: Amtrea ACROSPORT, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel. Landed in a soft dirt field and flipped over.

## Other investigations on N5897 (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 CEN13LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA225), Apr 12, 2013: Atkins ACRO-SPORT I (N5897), Midland, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the left elevator torque tube due to poor quality welds by the manufacturer, which resulted in the loss of pitch control.

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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