Smelser KR-2 N570TS
20 April 1991 · Spokane, Washington, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 20 April 1991 at about 18:10 local time, a Smelser KR-2 registered N570TS, operated by Thomas W. Smelser, was involved in an accident near Spokane, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:10
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Spokane, Washington, United States
- Coordinates
- 47.7801, -117.4502
- Aircraft
- Smelser KR-2
- Registration
- N570TS
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Thomas W. Smelser
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- SEA91LA092
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
A FAILURE OF THE FUEL DRAIN VALVE WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 1991 | Bell BH-47G2A | Waitsburg, Washington, United States | Waitsburg Helicopter Service | No injuries | - |
| 6 Apr 1991 | Robinson R22 BETA | Kent, Washington, United States | Classic Helicopter | No injuries | - |
| 6 Apr 1991 | Grumman American AA-1C | Wenatchee, Washington, United States | James Q. Baxter | No injuries | - |
| 12 Apr 1991 | Aeronca 11AC | Port Orchard, Washington, United States | John D. Gracie | No injuries | - |
| 13 Apr 1991 | Cessna C-172N | Ellensburg, Washington, United States | Interwest Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 17 Apr 1991 | Grumman G-21A | Spokane, Washington, United States | Loel Fenwick | No injuries | - |