# NTSB NYC82FGM16: Foster Airspeed, N827Z, Butler, PA, September 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1982, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Butler, PA
- Location: 40.8616° N, 79.8962° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Butler, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8616&lon=-79.8962&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70092
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FGM16
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70092/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FGM16

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,inspection - not performed, company/operator management
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE OWNER INTENDED TO PUT HIS AIRCRAFT ON STATIC DISPLAY AT THE AIRPORT FLY-IN WHICH WAS ON THE SAME AIRPORT. A FRIEND INFORMED THE OWNER THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO FLY THE PLANE AND THE OWNER DISCLOSED THAT IT DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT INSPECTION. THE PLANE WAS FUELED WITH 3 GAL OF GASOLINE AND THE OWNER SUGGESTED THAT HIS FRIEND TAXI IT TO THE STATIC DISPLAY AREA. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT TOOK OFF ON RUNWAY 18 AND BEGAN A CLIMBING LEFT TURN. ONE WITNESS REPORTED THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A STEEP TURN AND THE NOSE BEGAN DROPPING. REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE AIRCRAFT UP FROM A HIGH SINK RATE. ACCORDING TO A NEARBY WITNESS, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN A FLAT ATTITUDE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE OUTLET OF THE FUEL TANK WAS IN THE CENTER/BOTTOM OF THE TANK. THE OWNER BELIEVED THAT WITH ONLY 3 GAL OF FUEL, FUEL STARVATION COULD OCCUR IN UNCOORDINATED FLIGHT OR STEEP CLIMBS OR DIVES. HE BELIEVE THERE WAS 1 GAL OF UNUSABLE FUEL IN NORMAL BANKS/CAREFUL CLIMB

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N827Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N827Z-2012-11-09), registration cancelled 2012-11-09, S/N HCF4, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FOSTER AIRSPEED
- Registry model: [Foster FOSTER AIRSPEED](https://openairdocs.org/model/foster-foster-airspeed) (registry code 0562374) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: HCF4
- Airframe hours: 97
- Engines: LYCOMING O-145-B 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henry C. Foster
- Registered owner: Henry C. Foster
- Departed: BUTLER, PA
- Destination: BUTLER, PA
- Airport: Butler Farm, runway 18, 2,590 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 165 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820919047039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820919047039A), Sep 19, 1982: Amtr FOSTERAIRSPD, Butler, PA, Destroyed. Uncovered fuel outlet on steep takeoff climbing turn. Engine quit. Aircraft stalled. Taxi only was authorized. .

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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