# NTSB NYC97LA018: Dubis Team Minimax, N4335W, North Adams, MA, November 16, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 16, 1996, 14:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: North Adams, MA - Location: 42.6756° N, 73.1181° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of North Adams, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6756&lon=-73.1181&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 21, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39302 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39302/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA018 ## Probable cause fuel contamination, which resulted in a loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident were: the lack of a drain in the fuel system to properly check the fuel before flight, and the pilot's failure (or inability) to detect the contaminated fuel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause) - fuel system,drain - not installed (contributing factor) - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft component, owner/builder (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, owner/builder (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine lost total power while in cruise flight at 2100 feet, and he attempted a forced landing. According to the pilot, when he made his approach to a designated field, he realized that he had overshot it. He then saw another nearby field, and headed for it. As he approached, he tried to pass through a clearing in a tree line bordering the field. As the airplane went through the tree line, its left wing hit a tree, which spun the plane around. The plane then landed in the Hoosac River. Examination revealed that the fuel was dark in color and contained particles of an undetermined composition. There was no provision for sumping fuel to check for water or other contaminants. ## Factual narrative On November 16, 1996, at 1410 eastern standard time, a Dubis Minimax home-built airplane, N4335W, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Adams, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR part 91 and originated at the North Adams Airport (2B6) at approximately 1345 with an intended destination of Pittsfield, Massachusetts (PSF). The pilot reported to the Adams, Massachusetts Police Department that while in cruise flight at 2100 feet "...the engine quit, entirely." The pilot reported that he selected a field for landing. He said, "When I made my approach to that designated field, I realized that I had over shot it. I then saw another nearby clearing, and headed for it. As I approached this clearing, I tried to pass through a clearing in the treeline boundaring the field. As I went through the treeline, my left wing hit a tree, which had spun my plane around 180 degrees. [The plane] then landed in the Hoosac River." A post accident inspection of the airplane was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Safety Inspector. The Inspector reported, "A check of the aircraft fuel system revealed contamination. The fuel was dark in color containing particles of unknown composition. There are no provisions for sumping fuel to check for water, or other contaminants. [The pilot/owner] stated that he uses dry gas to guard against water in the tank. The engine ignition wiring system was tested, along with a mechanical continuity check and was found operational. Post impact damage prevented an engine test run." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4335W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4335W-2013-10-31), registration cancelled 2013-10-31, S/N 008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DUBIS TEAM MINIMAX (TEAM MINIM) - Registry model: [Dubis D F / Dubis B TEAM MINI MAX](https://openairdocs.org/model/dubis-d-f-dubis-b-team-mini-max) (registry code 05618FA) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 008 - Airframe hours: 38 - Engines: Rotax 377 35 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald F. Dubis - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 16, 1996 - Departed: 2B6, MA - Destination: PSF, PITTSFIELD, MA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 149 total, 13 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AGW, 3 nm away ## 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 19961116035879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961116035879A), Nov 16, 1996: Amtr MINIPLANE, North Adams, MA, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Overshot open field. Wing hit a tree. Spun around into river. Fuel contaminated. No fuel drains 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.