# NTSB SEA78FYM15: Smitts 77, N99453, Elgin, OR, January 17, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 17, 1978
- Place: Elgin, OR · ELGIN, OR
- Location: 45.5647° N, 117.9213° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elgin, OR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5647&lon=-117.9213&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 3, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA78FYM15
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FYM15

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0245  78/1/17    ELGIN,OR            SMITTS 77           CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 59, 663
        TIME - 1200                    N99453              PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      TOTAL HOURS, 5 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LA GRANDE,OR                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- LND IN MUDDY FLD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N99453 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SMITTS 77
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19780117002959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780117002959A), Jan 17, 1978: Amtr 0564430, Elgin, OR, Substantial damage. Lnd in muddy fld.

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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