# NTSB SEA91LA116: Greg Smith KR-2, N47KR, Twisp, WA, May 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1991, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Twisp, WA
- Coordinates: 48.319492, -119.929573 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3195&lon=-119.9296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41439
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41439/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA116

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IN FLIGHT DUE TO SHORTED MAGNETO WIRES, RESULTING FROM INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION BY THE PILOT.

## 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, maneuvering
  - ignition system,magneto - shorted (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, unqualified person (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ENGINE QUIT WHILE THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALT AGL AND THE ACFT IMPACTED TERRAIN DURING THE FORCED LANDING.  INSP OF ACFT REVEALED A SHORTED MAGNETO CONDENSER WIRE.  THE STU PILOT HAD NO INSTR ENDORSEMENT FOR THE FLIGHT OR LICENSE TO PERFORM MAINT INSP OF THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47KR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47KR-2001-07-19), registration cancelled 2001-07-19, S/N 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GREG SMITH KR-2
- Registry model: [Smith Greg KR-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-greg-kr-2) (registry code 05648KC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1947
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 2110CC 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael J. Conte
- Registered owner: Michael J. Conte
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: S52, WINTHROP, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 50 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910527017189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910527017189A), May 27, 1991: Amtr KR2, Twisp, WA, Substantial damage. Engine quit during low level maneuvers. Crashed landing. Shorted mag wire. No CFI endorsement to fly a KR2.
- [Accident 19910527060479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910527060479A), May 27, 1991: Amtret MAXAIR503, Toledo, WA, Substantial damage. Struck wires and crashed while making a low pass over friends on the ground. Ultralight was not registered.

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.