# NTSB FTW95LA190: Grunska Earl J Baby ACE D, N689EG, Paris, AR, May 5, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 5, 1995, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Paris, AR - Coordinates: 35.280887, -93.720855 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2809&lon=-93.7209&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 September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19408 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19408/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA190 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM REQUIRED AIRSPEED FOR FLIGHT, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR WAS THE PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Loss of control - in flight, emergency landing after takeoff - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT HAD LANDED AT PARIS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (7M6) FOR FUEL, HOWEVER, THERE WAS NONE AVAILABLE. DURING TAKEOFF AT 'APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET', THE ENGINE BEGAN TO 'SPUTTER AND MISS.' THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND CHECKED THE AIRPLANE FOR ANY MECHANICAL 'FAILURES.' NONE WERE FOUND AND 'A STATIC RUNUP WAS PERFORMED ADEQUATELY AT FULL THROTTLE.' THE AIRPLANE TOOK OFF AND APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL), THE ENGINE BEGAN TO 'SPUTTER AND ALMOST QUIT AGAIN CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO STALL AND HIT THE GROUND.' EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY MAINTENANCE ANOMALIES AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL OR FUEL LEAKS; HOWEVER, IT WAS REPORTED THAT A RESCUE PERSON SAW FUEL LEAKING. ## Factual narrative On May 5, 1995, at 1310 central daylight time, a homebuilt Grunska Earl J, Baby Ace D, N689EG, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Paris, Arkansas. The private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. According to the Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot had landed at Paris Municipal Airport (7M6) for fuel; however, there was none available. During takeoff from Paris Municipal Airport at "approximately 100 feet", the engine began to "sputter and miss." The pilot returned to the airport and checked the airplane for any mechanical "failures." None were found and "a static runup was performed adequately at full throttle." The airplane took off and approximately 100 feet above ground level (AGL), the engine began to "sputter and almost quit again causing the aircraft to stall and hit the ground" within the Fairgrounds that borders the airport. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed no evidence of fuel or fuel leaks; however, it was reported that a rescue person saw fuel leaking. Examination of the engine did not disclose any maintenance anomalies. Both wings, the firewall, and the landing gear were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N689EG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N689EG-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N E. G. 1, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUNSKA EARL J BABY ACE D - Registry model: [Grunska Earl J BABY ACE D](https://openairdocs.org/model/grunska-earl-j-baby-ace-d) (registry code 0030456) (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: EG1 - Airframe hours: 19 - Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Troy A. Toelle - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1994, 19 hours before - Departed: 7M6 - Destination: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 197 total, 66 in this make and model, 119 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19950505009789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950505009789A), May 5, 1995: Amtraa BABYACED, Paris/Subiaco, AR, Substantial damage. Landed for fuel. No fuel. Departed engine miss. Returned. Checked ok. Tried again, engine quit. Stalled. No deffect 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.