# NTSB NYC94LA072: Randolph Flagg Boredom Fighter, N1932F, Norridgewock, ME, March 23, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1994, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Norridgewock, ME
- Location: 44.7058° N, 69.8513° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from CENTRAL MAINE/NORRIDGEWOCK (OWK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7058&lon=-69.8513&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38745
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38745/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA072

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED ENTERING THE DOWNWIND FOR RUNWAY 33, AND AT MID-FIELD THE PILOT RADIOED THE UNICOM THAT THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE WAS LOSING POWER.  THE PILOT TURNED THE AIRPLANE TOWARD THE RUNWAY, BUT OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO ALIGN THE AIRPLANE WITH THE RUNWAY, AND STRUCK A TREE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.  THE INVESTIGATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Factual narrative

On March 23, 1994, about 1750 eastern standard time, an Experimental, 1940 Bordom Fighter, N1932F, piloted by Mr. Randolph Flagg, collided with a tree during a forced landing while in the traffic pattern at Central Maine Airport, Norridgewock, Maine.  The Student Pilot was seriously injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged.   Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.  The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91.

The airplane was observed entering the downwind for runway 33, and at mid-field the pilot radioed the UNICOM that the airplane's engine was losing power.  The pilot turned the airplane toward the runway, but over shot the runway's centerline.  The pilot attempted to align the airplane with the runway, and struck a tree short of the runway.

According to FAA Inspector, Gary Readio, "Witness stated that the aircraft engine appeared to have quit altogether, but then would sporadically 'power up' and run in short bursts."  Mr. Readio wrote:

"It appeared that the pilot should have been able to      make a normal power off landing from his position...the      next anyone saw the aircraft, it was to the east [of]      the centerline, descending towards trees."

Examination of the engine did not reveal any discrepancies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1932F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1932F-2012-11-14), registration cancelled 2012-11-14, S/N RF-01 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RANDOLPH FLAGG BOREDOM FIGHTER (BOREDOM FI)
- Registry model: [Flagg Randolph D BOREDOM FIGHTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/flagg-randolph-d-boredom-fighter) (registry code 056226A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: RF-01
- Engines: CHEVROLET CORVAIR 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Randolph Flagg
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: OWK
- Airport: OWK, Central Maine, runway 33, 4,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 47 total, 7 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19940323006499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940323006499A), Mar 23, 1994: Amtr BOREDOMFITER, Norridgewock, ME, Substantial damage. Lost power on downwind for landing struck a tree turning short final. No engine defects found.

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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