# NTSB IAD98LA075: Hoffmann Fisher FP 404, N6188X, Louisa, VA, June 26, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 26, 1998, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Louisa, VA - Coordinates: 38.009059, -77.99015 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0091&lon=-77.9901&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43179 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43179/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA075 ## Probable cause Loss of engine 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, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - roadway/highway ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was cruising at 1,500 feet MSL, en route to purchase fuel, when the engine RPM dropped from 5,800 to 3,000. He said he, 'played with the throttle,' but was unable to maintain altitude, and elected to perform a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane exited the field, crossed a fence, and impacted on State Route 68. Examination of the fuel in the gascolator revealed no water or contaminants. The examination did not reveal any anomalies with the airplane or the uncertificated two cycle engine. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 1998, at 1700 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt, Fisher FP 404, N6188X, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a forced landing near Louisa, Virginia. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Warrenton, Virginia, and was destined for Louisa, Virginia. According to the pilot, he was cruising at 1,500 feet MSL, en route to Louisa to purchase fuel, when the engine RPM dropped from 5,800 to 3,000. The pilot said he, "played with the throttle," but was unable to maintain altitude, and elected to perform a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane exited the field, crossed a fence, and impacted on State Route 68. The airplane was moved to a hangar where a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector examined the wreckage. According to the Inspector, the uncertificated two cycle engine was rotated manually, and it was lubricated. Examination of the fuel in the gascolator revealed no water or contaminants. The examination did not reveal any anomalies with the airplane or the engine. The pilot reported over 190 hours of total flight experience including 12 hours in make and model. He said the total capacity of the fuel tank was 7 1/2 gallons, and the fuel burn was 5 gallons per hour. He said he was airborne less than an hour, and he should have had at least 2 to 2 1/2 gallons of fuel remaining. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6188X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6188X-2000-11-20), registration cancelled 2000-11-20, S/N 4155 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hoffmann FISHER FP 404 (FISHER FP) - Registry model: [Hoffman George F FISHER FP 404](https://openairdocs.org/model/hoffman-george-f-fisher-fp-404) (registry code 056227W) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 4155 - Airframe hours: 55 - Engines: Rotax 503 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles J Becker - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 1997, 55 hours before - Departed: W66, WARRENTON, VA - Destination: LKU, VA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 190 total, 12 in this make and model, 148 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °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 19980626024549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980626024549A), Jun 26, 1998: Amtr FP404, Louisa, VA, Substantial damage. Lost power enroute. Overshot field landing. Hit fence and roadway. Possible fuel exhaustion. (-23) while at 1500 feet, approx. 4 miles from the Louisa county… 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.