# NTSB NYC89DFA02: Niedzielski COOT-A, N247D, Marcy, NY, September 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1989, 16:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Marcy, NY
- Coordinates: 43.16986, -75.29071 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1699&lon=-75.2907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36239
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89DFA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36239/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89DFA02

## Probable cause

FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PILOT HAD BEEN FLYING HIS AMPHIBIAN AIRPLANE IN THE LOCAL AREA FOR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR BEFORE HE RETURNED TO THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AREA. THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE ENTERED A MIDFIELD CROSSWIND LEG AT AN ESTIMATED 800 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THEY HEARD THE ENGINE RPM INCREASE AND DECREASE AS THE AIRCRAFT CROSSED THE AIRPORT, AND THEY DESCRIBED THE WINGS 'WOBBLING' OR 'TIPPING' BACK AND FORTH. THE WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ENGINE NOISE DECREASED, THE AIRPLANE PERFORMED A SERIES OF SHALLOW BANK TURNS BEFORE THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE AIRPLANE BANKED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A TWO TO THREE TURN SPIN AND IMPACTED THE GROUND ON AIRPORT PROPERTY. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE CARBURETOR FUEL SCREEN WERE CONTAMINATED WITH THE REMAINS OF SEVERAL LARGE INSECTS. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY OTHER PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION/DIFFICULTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N247D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N247D-1990-08-10), registration cancelled 1990-08-10, S/N AN184 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NIEDZIELSKI COOT-A
- Registry model: [Niedzielski Albert COOT A](https://openairdocs.org/model/niedzielski-albert-coot-a) (registry code 957051W) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: AN-1
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-335-B 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fred F. Sampson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 16, 1989
- Departed: 4B2, MARCY, NY
- Airport: 4B2, Riverside, runway 14, 3,500 × 46 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890928036949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890928036949A), Sep 28, 1989: Amtrta COOTAMPH1B1B, Utica, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine lost power near airport. Pilot stalled aircraft then entered spin to impact. Fuel contaminated by insects.

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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