# NTSB LAX94LA180: Curry FLY-BABY, N183RC, Bisbee, AZ, April 2, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1994, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Bisbee, AZ
- Coordinates: 31.429891, -109.920799 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4299&lon=-109.9208&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 November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28711/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA180

## Probable cause

a loss of engine power due a blockage in the fuel tank outlet which caused fuel starvation.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,tank - blocked(total) (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - inadequate, manufacturer (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

According to the pilot, the aircraft was in the initial climb after takeoff when the engine suddenly quit. The pilot reported that he did not have sufficient altitude or vehicle energy to return to the airport and attempted to land on a nearby road.  The aircraft landed short and collided with rough terrain. The pilot said he suspects a fuel blockage at the tank outlet as the cause for the engine power loss.

## Factual narrative

On April 2, 1994, at 1000 mountain standard time, a homebulit experimental Curry Fly-Baby, N183RC, collided with rough terrain during an attempted forced landing on a road near Bisbee, Arizona.  The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb.  The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation.  The aircraft was destroyed in the collision sequence. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident as a local area personal flight.

According to the pilot, the aircraft was in the initial climb after takeoff when the engine suddenly quit.  The pilot reported that he did not have sufficient altitude or vehicle energy to return to the airport and attempted to land on a nearby road.  The aircraft landed short and collided with rough terrain.

In his written report, the pilot said he suspects a fuel blockage at the tank outlet as the cause for the engine power loss.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N183RC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N183RC-1994-08-24), registration cancelled 1994-08-24, S/N 2183 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CURRY FLY-BABY
- Registry model: [Curry Richard D FLY-BABY](https://openairdocs.org/model/curry-richard-d-fly-baby) (registry code 05624J2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2183
- Airframe hours: 6
- Engines: FRANKLIN 4AC-176-B2 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard D. Curry
- Registered owner: Richard D. Curry
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 8, 1994, 6 hours before
- Airport: P04, Bisbee Muni, runway 17, 6,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,000 total, 6 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 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 19940402010569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940402010569A), Apr 2, 1994: Amtrbw FLYBABY1, Bisbee, AZ, Destroyed. Engine quit on initial climb. Collided with rough ground landing. Suspect fuel blockage at tank outlet.

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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