# NTSB NYC93LA018: Franklin-Sullivan Technologies FS 1, N4246R, Littletown, PA, October 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1992, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Littletown, PA
- Coordinates: 39.73933, -77.080566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7393&lon=-77.0806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37257
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37257/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA018

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE ALTITUDE DUE TO AN IMPROPERLY PLANNED APPROACH WHICH RESULTED IN A TREE STRIKE ON FINAL APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AN EXPERIMENTAL FLIGHT TEST WHICH CALLED FOR AN UNPOWERED DESCENT.  THE APPROACH WAS INITIATED WITH BOTH ENGINES SHUT OFF. INITIALLY THE PILOT WAS HIGH ON FINAL AND 'S' TURNED TO LOOSE ALTITUDE. DURING THE LAST 'S' TURN HE NOTICED HE WAS TOO LOW AND STRUCK A TREE JUST SHORT OF THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST BEYOND THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4246R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4246R-2017-05-15), registration cancelled 2017-05-15, S/N 01, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Franklin-Sullivan Technologies FS 1
- Registry model: [Sullivan L M / Franklin D W FST 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/sullivan-l-m-franklin-d-w-fst-1) (registry code 9570365) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 11
- Engines: ROTAX 503 48 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Franklin Sullivan Technologies
- Registered owner: Franklin Sullivan Technologies
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1991, 11 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Prokopovitsh Farm, runway 18, 1,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 2,950 total, 11 in this make and model, 2,850 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F

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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