Smitrovich SE-5A REPLICA N1869S
4 October 1992 · Harwinton, Connecticut, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 4 October 1992 at about 15:45 local time, a Smitrovich SE-5A REPLICA registered N1869S, operated by John W. Smitrovich, was involved in an accident near Harwinton, Connecticut, 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 15:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Harwinton, Connecticut, United States
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Smitrovich SE-5A REPLICA
- Registration
- N1869S
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- John W. Smitrovich
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Stormville → Burlington
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC93LA006
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
A FORCED LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUTION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AND HIS IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS WHICH LED TO FUEL EXHAUTION.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE AIRPLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THERE WAS A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE LANDING GEAR WAS RIPPED OFF AND THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED OVER. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD PURCHASED 12 GALLONS OF AUTO GAS AND FLOWN FOR 40 MINUTES. HOWEVER, HE HAD NO RECEIPT AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE TANKS OR FUEL SPILLAGE ON THE GROUND. ADDITIONALLY NO EVIDENCE OF A FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND WITH THE ENGINE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Aug 1992 | Piper PA-38-112 | Salem, Connecticut, United States | American Air Service, Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 30 Aug 1992 | Beechcraft A24 | Simsbury, Connecticut, United States | Kenneth R. Skinner | Minor injuries | - |
| 31 Aug 1992 | Beechcraft A24 | Griswold, Connecticut, United States | Robert Lapre | Minor injuries | - |
| 11 Aug 1992 | Cessna 152 | Plainville, Connecticut, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 6 Dec 1992 | Helio H-700 | Shelton, Connecticut, United States | William Blau | Fatal | 1 |
| 14 Sep 1992 | Champion 7KCAB | East Haddam, Connecticut, United States | John S. Hendry | Fatal | 1 |