Acroduster SA-750 N69GM

Summary

On 13 August 1989 at about 23:47 local time, a Acroduster SA-750 registered N69GM, operated by Anthony Debevc, was involved in an accident near Painesville, Ohio, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 August 1989 at 23:47

Classification

Accident

Location

Painesville, Ohio, United States

Nearest airport

Casement (PVZ)

Coordinates

41.7204, -81.2406

Aircraft

Acroduster SA-750

Registration

N69GM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Anthony Debevc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

CHI89DEI02

1 person was seriously injured.

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SELECTOR FOR TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION; AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT AND THE TREES WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PLT HAD NO PREVIOUS FLT TIME IN THIS ACFT & WAS PRACTICING GROUND TAXI OPNS. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE ELECTED TO TAKEOFF. WHEN HE TOOK OFF, THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO USE FUEL FROM THE UPPER TANK, WHICH WAS NEARLY EMPTY. AFTER THE ACFT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 400 FT AGL, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL STARVATION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT TREES & CRASHED AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO GLIDE TO AN OPEN FIELD. THERE WERE APRX 6 GALS OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE ACFT'S LOWER (MAIN) FUEL TANK.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.