# NTSB NYC07LA243: Fokker VI, Morristown, TN, September 30, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 2007, 19:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Morristown, TN
- Coordinates: 36.235279, -83.315834
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2353&lon=-83.3158&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66782/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA243

## Probable cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during approach.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot was conducting a test flight of the unregistered amateur-built Fokker VI airplane, prior to registering it. While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot noticed that the engine "was not making proper power" and he subsequently performed a forced landing, during which the airplane was substantially damaged. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies.

## Factual narrative

On September 30, 2007, at 1940 eastern daylight time, an unregistered amateur-built Fokker VI was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Morristown, Tennessee. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local test flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot, he was conducting a test flight of the experimental airplane, prior to registering it. While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine "was not making proper power" and "did not sound right." The pilot realized he would not make it to the runway, and performed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane was substantially damaged.

The airplane was equipped with a Two Stroke International engine. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed continuity within the fuel system, and the fuel pump was tested with no anomalies noted.

The carburetor was observed "loose from the engine;" however, the separation was consistent with impact damage.

The carburetor was disassembled and no anomalies were noted with the butterfly valve. The engine crankshaft was rotated at the propeller flange, and valve train continuity and cylinder compression were confirmed.

The weather reported at an airport 31 miles to the northwest, 5 minutes prior to the accident, included calm winds, clear skies, temperature 21 degrees Celsius, dew point 6 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.34 inches of mercury.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Fokker VI
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 190
- Engines: Two Stroke International 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Underwood
- Departed: NONE, Morristown, TN
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Coopers Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2007; seat: center; flight hours: 640 total, 0 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.34 inHg
- Observed at: 1A6, 31 nm away

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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