Porterfield CP-55 N32340
11 May 1989 · Tecumseh, Michigan, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 11 May 1989 at about 13:05 local time, a Porterfield CP-55 registered N32340, operated by Rothfuss, George H., was involved in an accident near Tecumseh, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. 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 13:05
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Tecumseh, Michigan, United States
- Coordinates
- 42.0007, -83.9399
- Aircraft
- Porterfield CP-55
- Registration
- N32340
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Rothfuss, George H.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Adrian → Tecumseh
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI89LA086
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OPERATINS, WHICH FAILED TO DETECT THE PRESENCE OF WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND RESULTED IN THE SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF POWER AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED SOFT, LOOSE SOIL DURING THE FORCED LANDING AND FLIPPED OVER.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
WHILE IN NORMAL CRUISE FLIGHT AT ABOUT 800 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND RUN ROUGH. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, AND SELECTED A NEWLY PLOWED FIELD FOR A FORCED LANDING SITE. THE AIRCRAFT'S MAIN LANDING GEAR SANK INTO THE SOFT SOIL DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 1989 | Cessna 177 | Manistique, Michigan, United States | Kodiak Flying Club | Minor injuries | - |
| 4 Oct 1989 | Cessna T182 | Sodus, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Oct 1989 | Cessna 152 | Lakeville, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Oct 1989 | Cessna 152 | Hillsdale, Michigan, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 6 Jan 1989 | Cessna T303 | Romeo, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Oct 1989 | Cessna 172H | Bay City, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |