# NTSB NYC88DFJ01: Hurd/Drifter XP503, N29CH, Baldwinsville, NY, May 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1988, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Baldwinsville, NY
- Coordinates: 43.15063, -76.330963 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1506&lon=-76.3310&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 June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88DFJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88DFJ01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, manufacturer (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, manufacturer (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DURING A PREFLT, HE NOTED THE FUEL TANK WAS ABOUT 1/4 FULL.  HE RPRTD THAT AS HE WAS TAKING OFF, THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 200 FT AGL, WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER.  FROM THAT POSITION, HE WAS UNABLE TO RTRN TO THE ARPT OR GLIDE TO AN OPEN FIELD.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREE(S), THEN FELL TO THE GROUND.  THE OWNER/BUILDER/PLT OF THE HOME BUILT ACFT RPRTD THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS NOT IN THE PROPER POSITION IN THE FUEL TANK. HE INDICATED THE ACDNT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY PROPERLY SECURING THE FUEL LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29CH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29CH-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N DR0214, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HURD/DRIFTER XP503
- Registry model: [Hurd Clarence A XP503 DRIFTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/hurd-clarence-a-xp503-drifter) (registry code 0567608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: DR0214
- Airframe hours: 210
- Engines: ROTAX 503 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clarence Hurd
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1987
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: Pvt Strip, runway 23, 600 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 485 total, 485 in this make and model, 185 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: UTIC

## 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 19880506027489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880506027489A), May 6, 1988: Amtr DRIFTER, Baldwinsville, NY, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff due to fuel unporting. Crashed into trees. Fuel pickup line in tank came loose.

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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