# NTSB MKC83FA201: Grieme Skybolt, N798G, Atchison, KS, August 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1983, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Atchison, KS
- Coordinates: 39.559787, -95.12976 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5598&lon=-95.1298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33350/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA201

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel boost pump selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - cooling system,cowling - inadequate (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - overtemperature (cause)
  - fuel system,pump - blocked(total) (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACRT CRASHED 200 FT SHORT OF THE RWY WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND ON A SHORT FINAL APPROACH. THE ACFT CAME TO REST 100 FT BELOW THE RWY LEVEL. THE LANDING GEAR WAS BROKEN BACKWARD. THE NOSE OF THE ACRT WAS AGAINST A DIRT BANK. THERE WAS LESS THAN 1 INCH OF FUEL IN ONE CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK. ALL FUEL LINES WERE INTACT BUT THE FIREWALL FUEL FILTER WAS BROKEN AND COULD HAVE LEAKED. DURING TESTING IT WAS CAPABLE OF SYPHONING THE FUEL DOWN TO NE PINT REMAINING IN THE TANK WHEN THE SOIL UNDER THE POSITION OF THE FILTER WAS DUG INTO A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL WAS EVIDENT. THE PILOT SAID THIS ACRT HAD A VAPOR LOCK PROBLEM BEFORE AND A NEW FUEL PUMP WAS INSTALLED. THE FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS OFF AT THE ACCIDENT SITE BUT THE THROTTLE WAS FULL FOWARD AND THE MIXTURE CONTROL WAS FULL RICH. THE PILOT HAD REDUCED POWER ON THE DOWWIND LEG AND REAPPLIED IT ON FINAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO REACH THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N798G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRIEME SKYBOLT
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 01
- Airframe hours: 110
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 G1C5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William L. Grieme
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1983, 8 hours before
- Departed: K27, FT. MADISON, IA
- Airport: K59, Amelia Earhart, runway 16, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 10,000 total, 140 in this make and model, 3,040 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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