# NTSB SEA87FA165: Fleet 16B, N41871, Bellevue, WA, August 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1987, 13:33 local (20:33 UTC)
- Place: Bellevue, WA
- Coordinates: 47.620086, -122.159255 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6201&lon=-122.1593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40533
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87FA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40533/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87FA165

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - altitude - inadequate (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A GOLF COURSE AFTER A POWER LOSS WHICH HE ATTRIBUTED TO CARBURETOR ICE. SUBSEQUENT TO THE LANDING THE AIRCRAFT WAS FUELED WITH 10 GALLONS OF AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE. THE FUEL WAS CHECKED FOR WATER AT THE STRAINER DRAIN AND THE PILOT AND RATED PASSENGER THEN TAXIED OUT CONDUCTING AN ENGINE RUNUP BEFORE TAKING OFF. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE ABRUPTLY QUIT AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK TO THE GOLF COURSE, THE ONLY SUITABLE LANDING AREA AVAILABLE. THE ALTITUDE OF THE AIRCRAFT AT THE TIME OF THE POWER LOSS PRECLUDED A SUCCESSFUL COURSE REVERSAL AND LANDING AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONCOULD BE RELATED TO THE ENGINE NOR WAS THERE ANY EVIDENCE OF WATER IN THE FUEL. ALTHOUGH CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE RAPIDITY OF THE POWER CESSATION WAS SUCH THAT CARBURETOR ICING WAS UNLIKELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41871](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41871), registered now, S/N 519 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FLEET 16B
- Registry model: [Fleet FLEET 16B](https://openairdocs.org/model/fleet-fleet-16b) (registry code 3480502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental R670-SERIES series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-r670-series-series) (registry code 17016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 519
- Engines: KINNER R56 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: C. Davidson & Gerald Canniff
- Destination: S13, ALDERWOOD MANOR, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 775 total, 48 in this make and model, 607 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFI, 7 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 19870816050519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870816050519A), Aug 16, 1987: Fleet FLEET16B, Bellevue, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Power loss on climbout. Hit a tree on forced landing. Indicates fuel shutoff valve was in the off position.

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.