Summary
On December 31, 1993, a Sommerauer GLASAIR I RG (HBYDJ) was involved in an incident near Ogden, UT. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: A LOOSE FUEL LINE FITTING, AND FUEL STARVATION. FACTORS INCLUDE AN INTENTIONAL WHEELS UP FORCED LANDING, AND SOFT ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.
On December 31, 1993, approximately 1400 mountain standard time (MST), a Swiss registered Glasair I RG experimental aircraft, HBYDJ, impacted the terrain during a forced landing near Ogden, Utah. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot, who was on a local pleasure flight, departed Ogden-Hinckley Municipal Airport about 20 minutes earlier. The pilot had not filed a flight plan, and there was no report of an ELT activation.
According to the pilot, the engine lost power, and he attempted a forced landing on rough soft terrain.
This incident is documented in NTSB report SEA94LA044. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft HBYDJ.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A LOOSE FUEL LINE FITTING, AND FUEL STARVATION. FACTORS INCLUDE AN INTENTIONAL WHEELS UP FORCED LANDING, AND SOFT ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On December 31, 1993, approximately 1400 mountain standard time (MST), a Swiss registered Glasair I RG experimental aircraft, HBYDJ, impacted the terrain during a forced landing near Ogden, Utah. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot, who was on a local pleasure flight, departed Ogden-Hinckley Municipal Airport about 20 minutes earlier. The pilot had not filed a flight plan, and there was no report of an ELT activation.
According to the pilot, the engine lost power, and he attempted a forced landing on rough soft terrain. During the emergency descent, he made the decision to land with the gear up in an attempt to minimize the damage to the aircraft.
An FAA inspector who responded to the accident found that a stainless steel nut on the fuel line-to-engine fitting had come loose, resulting in an interruption in the fuel flow to the engine. According to the pilot/manufacturer, the nut that came loose had been used to hold the fuel line to the engine for over 85 hours of powerplant operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA94LA044