# NTSB MIA99LA113: Dryer Fisher 404, N82435, Homestead, FL, March 25, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 25, 1999, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Homestead, FL - Coordinates: 25.519165, -80.499305 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.5192&lon=-80.4993&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45982 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45982/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA113 ## Probable cause The pilots improper in-flight planning/decision of an available forced landing area. This resulted in a subsequent in-flight collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power due to an inoperative generator coil. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - electrical system,generator - failure,total (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated he was at 1,000 feet when the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. He started a forced landing to a dirt road in a tomato field. The airplane collided with a tree short of his intended forced landing area and crashed. Examination of the crash site revealed a suitable forced landing area left of the pilots flight path. Examination of the engine assembly revealed an inoperative generator coil. ## Factual narrative On March 25, 1999, about 0800 eastern standard time, an experimental Dryer airplane, Fisher 404, N82435, experienced a reported total loss of engine power in cruise flight in the vicinity of Homestead, Florida, while operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The pilot crashed during a forced landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airline transport pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Homestead General Airport, Homestead, Florida, about 30 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he was in straight and level flight at 1,000 feet when the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. He started a forced landing to a dirt road in a tomato field. The airplane collided with a tree short of his intended forced landing area and crashed. Examination of the crash site revealed a suitable forced landing area was located to the left of the pilot's flight path, and the forced landing area was attainable. Examination of the engine assembly revealed an inoperative generator coil. The engine was equipped with an electronic ignition, which require battery power for its operation, the battery was depleted during the flight due to the generator failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N82435](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82435-2003-10-08), registration cancelled 2003-10-08, S/N DBD 404-01, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Dryer FISHER 404 - Registry model: [Dryer David B FISHER 404](https://openairdocs.org/model/dryer-david-b-fisher-404) (registry code 05606UR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: DBD404-01 - Airframe hours: 20 - Engines: Rotax 503 46 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David B. Dryer - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: X-51, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 18,300 total, 20 in this make and model, 4,080 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HST, 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 19990325031949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990325031949A), Mar 25, 1999: Cessna 404, Homestead, FL, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot stated he was at 1,000 feet when the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. He started a forced landing to a dirt road in a tomato… 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.