# NTSB FTW88DPJ01: Ward Cassutt 3M, N3419W, Yukon, OK, October 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1987, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Yukon, OK
- Coordinates: 35.510845, -97.759391 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5108&lon=-97.7594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22451
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DPJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22451/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DPJ01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - inoperative (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO GET A RESTART. THE PILOT, WHO WAS ALSO THE BUILDER OF THE AIRCRAFT, WAS AWARE THAT IN CERTAIN ATTITUDES THE ENGINE WOULD FAIL DUE TO FUEL STARVATION AND THAT BY CHANGING THE AIRCRAFT ATTITUDE A RESTART COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED. ON THIS FLIGHT THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3419W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3419W-1991-03-21), registration cancelled 1991-03-21, S/N 1934 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WARD CASSUTT 3M
- Registry model: [Ward Joseph A CASSUTT IIIM](https://openairdocs.org/model/ward-joseph-a-cassutt-iiim) (registry code 1970214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1934
- Airframe hours: 32
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph A Ward, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 7, 1987, 32 hours before
- Departed: F29, YUKON, OK
- Airport: F29, C.E. Page

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 459 total, 8 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWA, 7 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 19871007059739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871007059739A), Oct 7, 1987: Amtrsx CASSUTT3M, Yukon, OK, Destroyed. Aircraft impacted near runway on takeoff. Faulty fuel system design blocked fuel flow at certain pitch angels.

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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