# NTSB NYC83FGM04: Chamberlain KR-1, N80190, Johnstown, PA, July 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1983, 19:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Johnstown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.320938, -78.910179 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3209&lon=-78.9102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35094
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FGM04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35094/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FGM04

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other person (cause)
  - fuel system,line - distorted (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - poor, other person (cause)
  - fuel system,line - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - deteriorated (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AFTER TAKEOFF. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. THE ACFT WAS AN AMATEUR/EXPERIMENTAL KR-1 WITH A VW 2100 CC ENGINE, MAINTAINED UNDER A CONDITION INSPECTION PROGRAM PERFORMED BY THE OWNER. INVESTIGATION AT THE SCENE INDICATED THAT THE ACFT IMPACTED SEVERAL TREES AT A MODERATE RATE OF SPEED AND A STEEP APPROACH ANGLE. THE ACFT HAD TURNED ABOUT 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT FROM THE TAKEOFF HEADING OF 230 CAME TO REST 300 FT FROM INITIAL IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT CARBURETOR HAD BEEN REPLACED WITH ANOTHER CARBURETOR AND THE FUEL LINE FROM GASCOLATOR TO THE CARBURETOR MADE A SHARP BEND WITH A KINK IN THE HOSE. THE CARBURETOR FLOAT WAS NOT OF RECOMMENDED SIZE AND SOME OF THE COPPER FUEL LINES FROM TANK TO CARBURETOR HADBEEN CUT WITH A TUBE CUTTER WITH METAL EXTENDING OVER THE HOLES, WHICH HAD NOT BEEN CLEANED OUT. THREE OF THE SPARK PLUGS WOULD NOT FIRE AT 120 PSI; FIRING WAS NORMAL WHEN PRESSURE WAS DROPPED TO 100 PSI.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80190](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80190-1984-01-13), registration cancelled 1984-01-13, S/N 192-01-7391 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMBERLAIN KR-1
- Registry model: [Chamberlain Harry L KR-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/chamberlain-harry-l-kr-1) (registry code 05648BD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 192-01-7391
- Airframe hours: 64
- Engines: Volkswagen 211OCC 55 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ralph G. Ling
- Registered owner: Harry L. Chamberlain
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 7, 1983, 2 hours before
- Airport: JST, Johnstown-Cambria County, runway 23, 4,470 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,015 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JST, 1 nm away

## 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 19830730036419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830730036419A), Jul 30, 1983: Amtrrn KR1, Johnstown, PA, Destroyed. Engine quit on takeoff. Crashed into trees. Fuel lines kinked and restructed flow. Defective spark plugs.

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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