- Date
- July 20, 1991, 12:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place
- Havre, MT
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- CFDPZFleet FL-80
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report March 31, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 41496
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The engine driven fuel injection pump metering valve shaft was loose. A factor to the accident was: inadequate annual inspection.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
While in cruise flight, the engine suddenly lost partial power. The pilot applied full power; however, the engine did not respond. Unable to land at an airport, a forced landing was initiated to an open field. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with the terrain. A post crash inspection of the engine revealed that the engine driven fuel injection pump metering valve shaft was loose in the pump housing. The shaft was pushed back into position and the engine was started and found to run and maintain the required RPM.
Aircraft
- Registration
- CFDPZ
- Reported as
- Fleet FL-80
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 052
- Engine
- Continental C85-12FJ, 85 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Thorpe, John
- Departed
- GGW · Glasgow, MT
- Flight plan
- VFR
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 65
- Certificates
- Commercial, Airline transport
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine sea, Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Flight hours
- 15,000 total · 270 in this make and model · 12,000 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- -0 °F, dew point -0 °F