# NTSB NYC85FGM03: Istvanick Zipppy Sport, N39322, Connellsville, PA, April 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1985, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Connellsville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.010753, -79.580368 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0108&lon=-79.5804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35594
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FGM03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35594/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FGM03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,selector/valve - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. PLT STATED HE PERFORMED 3 HIGH SPEED TAXI RUNS DURING WHICH THE ACFT AND ENG OPERATED NORMALLY. WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE ON THE 4TH TAXI RUN, CLIMBED TO APRX 75 FT AGL AND BEGAN LOSING ALT WHEN A LEFT TURN TO DOWNWIND WAS ENTERED. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED THE 2 POSITION FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS STIFF TO MOVE. REMOVAL OF THE SELECTOR VALVE REVEALED THE ROTATING SHAFT SEAL GASKET HAD DETERIORATED BLOCKING APRX 50% OF THE INLET FUEL FLOW AND APRX 60-65% OF THE OUTLET FUEL FLOW. THIS WAS THE 1ST FLT OF THE EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39322](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39322-1997-11-14), registration cancelled 1997-11-14, S/N 003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ISTVANICK ZIPPPY SPORT (ZIPPPY SPO)
- Registry model: [Istvanick James ZIPPY SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/istvanick-james-zippy-sport) (registry code 05646BN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 003
- Engines: Revmaster SAA CITRUEN 32 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Istvanick
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 5, 1984, 0 hours before
- Airport: 2G3, Connellsville, runway 23, 3,840 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19850420013649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850420013649A), Apr 20, 1985: Amtr ZIPPYSPORT, Connellsville, PA, Substantial damage. Fuel selector valve not of aircraft quality. Seal deteriorated, restricted fuel flow. With partial power, hit trees

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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