# NTSB SEA07LA005: Hatcher Fisher Celebrity, N635GH, Anacortes, WA, October 6, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 6, 2006, 16:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Anacortes, WA - Coordinates: 48.498889, -122.662223 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4989&lon=-122.6622&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64671 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64671/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA005 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons. ## Analysis The amateur-built experimental-category airplane lost partial engine power shortly after takeoff. The pilot reported that the engine did not entirely stop running, but rather "sputtered" and experienced a significant reduction in power, less than required to sustain flight, and he elected to ditch the aircraft. FAA Inspectors examined the wreckage and reported that the engine was intact and no evidence was found to indicate a mechanical failure. The pilot reported that further examination of the engine, to include a teardown, revealed no additional information that could explain the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On October 6, 2006, about 1640 Pacific daylight time, an amateur-built experimental-category Hatcher Fisher Celebrity airplane, N635GH, sustained substantial damage following an in-flight loss of engine power and forced water landing near the Anacortes Airport, Anacortes, Washington. The tail-wheel equipped airplane was owned by the pilot, and operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. In a telephone conversation with the NTSB IIC, the pilot stated the airplane's engine began to lose power (70-80 feet agl) shortly after takeoff. He reported the engine did not entirely stop running, but rather "sputtered" at a significant reduction in power, less than required to sustain flight, and he elected to ditch the airplane into the waters of Puget Sound. In a written statement, dated October 16, the pilot reported that he completed an engine oil change and ground run prior to the flight. He stated the ground run was 15-20 minutes in duration and no inconsistencies were noted. The following day the airplane was recovered from the water and moved to a private residence. Inspectors from the FAA's Seattle Flight Standards District Office examined the wreckage on October 17, 2006, and reported that the engine was intact and no evidence was found to indicate a mechanical failure. During a follow-up interview with the NTSB IIC on March 6, 2007, the pilot reported that further examination of the engine, to include a teardown, revealed no additional information that could explain the loss of power. The pilot's most recent FAA medical certificate was issued on August 6, 2002. A current flight review for the pilot could not be verified. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Ditching, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - water ## Aircraft - Registration: [N635GH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N635GH-2006-11-29), registration cancelled 2006-11-29, S/N AV1027, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hatcher Fisher Celebrity - Registry model: [Hatcher Robert E FISHER CELEBRITY](https://openairdocs.org/model/hatcher-robert-e-fisher-celebrity) (registry code 05603LH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 4A235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-4a235-series) (registry code 27011, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: AV-1027 - Airframe hours: 23 - Engines: Franklin E4 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Evan D. Larue - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 74S, Anacortes, WA - Airport: 74S, Anacortes ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 7 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °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 20061006026909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061006026909A), Oct 6, 2006: Amtr FISHERCELITY, Anacortes, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On Friday October 6, 2006 at approximately 15:45 pacific standard time, a fisher celebrity N635GH, an experimental amateur built aircraft, experienced… 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.