# NTSB MKC83LA147: Steen Skybolt, N407L, Denver, IA, July 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1983, 19:50 local (Jul 7, 1983, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Denver, IA
- Coordinates: 42.670177, -92.330497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6702&lon=-92.3305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33437
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33437/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA147

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,vent - inadequate (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT ON DEPARTURE WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS 100 TO 150 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE QUIT. HE MADE A LEFT TURN TOWARD MORE SUITABLE TERRAIN AND THE ENGINE STARTED UP AGAIN. BEFORE HE COULD GET SET UP FOR A MORE SUITABLE FIELD, THE ENGINE QUIT AGAIN. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED JUST SHORT OF A ROAD, HIT A DITCH AND FLIPPED FORWARD TO THE INVERTED POSITION. AN INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK VENT PORT IN THE TOP OF THE TANK HAD BEEN PARTIALLY BLOCKED DURING CONSTRUCTION. THE REMAINDER OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT APPEAR TO HAVE ANY PRE-IMPACT DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N407L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N407L-1989-03-17), registration cancelled 1989-03-17, S/N 1001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STEEN SKYBOLT
- Registry model: [Westendorf Gary SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/westendorf-gary-skybolt) (registry code 05655EG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1001
- Airframe hours: 4
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary James Westendorf
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: K45, K, runway 18, 2,600 × 160 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,060 total, 6 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 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 19830706031949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830706031949A), Jul 6, 1983: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Denver, IA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout. Crash landed off airport. Fuel tank vent obstructed by a welded vent fitting.

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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