# NTSB SEA91LA092: Smelser KR-2, N570TS, Spokane, WA, April 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1991, 11:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Spokane, WA
- Coordinates: 47.780067, -117.450233 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7801&lon=-117.4502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41418
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41418/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA092

## Probable cause

A FAILURE OF THE FUEL DRAIN VALVE WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,drain - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE RPM DROPPED AND THE ENGINE QUIT.  A FORCED LANDING WAS INITIATED IN AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE POST-CRASH INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SHAFT OF A CURTIS QUICKDRAIN VALVE WAS MISSING WHICH ALLOWED THE FUEL TO DRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N570TS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N570TS-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 5700, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMELSER KR-2
- Registry model: [Smelsor Thomas W KR-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/smelsor-thomas-w-kr-2) (registry code 05648UC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 5700-56
- Airframe hours: 491
- Engines: HAPI 60-2DM 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas W. Smelser
- Registered owner: Thomas W. Smelser
- Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 1990, 36 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 586 total, 491 in this make and model, 555 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SFF, 6 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 19910420011539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910420011539A), Apr 20, 1991: Amtr KR2, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near airport. Fuel strainer drain shaft was missing. Allowed fuel to drain inflight.

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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