# NTSB NYC99LA179: Allen-Charles Barracuda, N849JA, Hermon, NY, July 17, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 1999, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Hermon, NY - Coordinates: 44.459335, -75.230636 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4593&lon=-75.2306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46969 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46969/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA179 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in a precautionary landing. A factor in this accident was the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for the precautionary landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis During a cross country flight in a homebuilt airplane, when the airplane was about 60 to 90 nautical miles from it's destination, the pilot noticed the airplane's left and right fuel gages were both indicating 1/8 full. The pilot decided to land early at another airport. However, due to haze and the anxiety of the situation, the pilot was unable to find a suitable airport so he elected to make a precautionary landing on a grass field. During the landing, the airplane's landing gear separated and the airplane incurred spar damage. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-landing malfunctions of the airframe or engine. The left fuel gage needle indicated 'E,' and the right fuel gage needle indicated about 1/8 full. When the airplane was placed on level ground, visual examination of the fuel tanks revealed that about 1/4 inch of fuel remained in the left fuel tank, and approximately 4 inches of fuel remained in the right fuel tank. The pilot reported 321.8 hours of total flight experience, of which, 18.3 hours were in the make and model of the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 1999, about 1410 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Barracuda, N849JA, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing in Hermon, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Medina, Ohio, about 1155, destined for the Massena International Airport (MSS), Massena, New York. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot stated that when the airplane was about 90 to 60 nautical miles from MSS, the left and right fuel gages were both indicating 1/8 full, and he planed to land early at the Potsdam Municipal Airport (PTD). The pilot said that due to haze and the anxiety of the situation, he was unable to find PTD, or another suitable airport. He then elected to make a precautionary landing to a grass field. The pilot circled the field once, and landed towards the east. The pilot further stated he shut down the airplane's engine just prior to touchdown. During the landing, the airplane's landing gear separated and the airplane incurred spar damage. Examination of the wreckage by another FAA Inspector did not reveal any pre-landing malfunctions of the airframe or engine. The left fuel gage needle indicated "E," and the right fuel gage needle indicated about 1/8 full. When the airplane was placed on level ground, visual examination of the fuel tanks revealed that about 1/4 inch of fuel remained in the left fuel tank, and approximately 4 inches of fuel remained in the right fuel tank. The weather reported at MSS, which was located about 40 miles north of the accident site, at 1450, was: wind from 220 degrees at 12 knots with 25 knot gusts; visibility 8 statue miles; a few clouds at 4,000 feet; temperature 91 degrees F; dew point 70 degrees F; altimeter 29.99 in/hg. The pilot reported 321.8 hours of total flight experience, of which, 18.3 hours were in the make and model of the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N849JA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N849JA-2016-05-31), registration cancelled 2016-05-31, S/N 101 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Allen-Charles BARRACUDA - Registry model: [Allen-Charles BARRACUDA](https://openairdocs.org/model/allen-charles-barracuda) (registry code 05613C5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 101 - Airframe hours: 170 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph A. Kwak - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1998, 25 hours before - Departed: 1G5, MEDINA, OH - Destination: MSS, MASSENA, NY - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 322 total, 18 in this make and model, 245 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 12 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MSS, 40 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 19990717047549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990717047549A), Jul 17, 1999: Amtr BARRACUDA, Hermon, NY, Substantial damage. (.4) During a cross country flight in a homebuilt airplane, when the airplane was about 60 to 90 nautical miles from it's destination, the pilot noticed the… 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.