# NTSB FTW89DQA01: Intermountain Mfg. Callair A-9B, N375MC, El Paso, TX, February 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1989, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Coordinates: 31.639406, -106.269927 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6394&lon=-106.2699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22703
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DQA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22703/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DQA01

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SELECT THE FULLEST TANKS AND, FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FLYING SPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT EXPERIENCED AN ENG FAILURE DURING A LOW PASS OVER THE AIRPORT TO DROP A GLIDER TOW ROPE. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY STALLED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND AFTER THE PLT FAILED TO PROPERLY SET UP THE ACFT FOR A FORCED LANDING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED ABOUT 5 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE RT TANK AND ZERO IN THE LEFT. THE RIGHT TANK WAS SELECTED WHEN THE ACFT WAS INSPECTED. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN EITHER THE FLOW DIVIDER OR THE LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N375MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N375MC-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 1309, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Intermountain Mfg. (IMCO) CALLAIR A-9B (CALLAIR A-)
- Registry model: [Intermountain CALLAIR A-9B](https://openairdocs.org/model/intermountain-callair-a-9b) (registry code 4570624) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1309
- Airframe hours: 3069
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-G1G5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Peter Kussbach
- Registered owner: El Paso Soaring Society
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1988, 26 hours before
- Airport: TX04, West Texas, runway 26, 4,100 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private, foreign, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,934 total, 13 in this make and model, 1,755 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 11 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Observed at: ELP, 8 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 19890226013889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890226013889A), Feb 26, 1989: Airpts A9B, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Engine stopped on low pass to drop glider tow rope. Stalled aircraft on landing attempt. Was out of fuel.

## Other investigations on N375MC (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 SEA72FYC12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72FYC12), Jul 29, 1971: Callair A-9 (N375MC), Hermiston, OR, minor damage, 1 fatal

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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