# NTSB NYC76FGM42: Sportavia RF-5B, N55SM, Penfield, PA, August 10, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 10, 1976
- Place: Penfield, PA · PENFIELD, PA
- Location: 41.2155° N, 78.5734° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Penfield, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2155&lon=-78.5734&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 155728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC76FGM42
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76FGM42

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3036  76/8/10    PENFIELD,PA         SPORTAVIA RF-5B     CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 34, 246
        TIME - 1220                    N55SM               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 14 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DUBOIS,PA                   WILLIAMSPORT,PA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER LEVEL OFF
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- LOST POWER AT 3200 FT,ENGINE NOT EQUIPPED WITH CARBURETOR HEAT SYSTEM
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55SM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55SM), registered now, S/N 51053, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SPORTAVIA RF-5B
- Registry model: [Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER](https://openairdocs.org/model/sportavia-putzer-rf5b-sperber) (registry code 8451016) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Limbach 1700E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/limbach-1700e) (registry code 38602, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19760810023859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760810023859A), Aug 10, 1976: Sptpuz RF5B, Penfield, PA, Substantial damage. Lost power at 3200 ft,engine not equipped with carburetor heat system

## Other investigations on N55SM (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC91LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA228), Sep 1, 1991: Sportavia-Putzer RF5B (N55SM), Lockport, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE GLIDER DURING LANDING. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TURBULENCE ENCOUNTERED ON APPROACH.

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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