Gildersleeve RV-4 N188BG
9 May 1991 · Ionia, Michigan, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 9 May 1991 at about 17:42 local time, a Gildersleeve RV-4 registered N188BG, operated by JUD M. Gildersleeve, was involved in an accident near Ionia, Michigan, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 17:42
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Ionia, Michigan, United States
- Coordinates
- 42.9810, -85.0499
- Aircraft
- Gildersleeve RV-4
- Registration
- N188BG
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- JUD M. Gildersleeve
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Jenison → Hastings
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI91DEM05
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
REMEDIAL ACTION NOT PERFORMED BY THE PILOT AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE PROPER TANK.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT OF A SINGLE ENGINE HOMEBUILT STATED HE WAS AT A CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 3000 FEET MSL WHEN HIS ENGINE QUIT RUNNING. HE STATED HE SWITCHED ON THE FUEL BOOST PUMP BUT SAW ONLY '0' FUEL PRESSURE. HE STATED HE WAS WITHIN 2 MILES OF HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT AND BEGAN AN ATTEMPTED DEAD STICK LANDING GLIDE. AS THE AIRPLANE NEARED THE AIRPORT HE REALIZED HE WOULD NOT CLEAR OBSTACLES IN HIS GLIDEPATH. HE STATED HE DECIDED TO LAND IN A WHEAT FIELD. DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH POLICE A WITNESS STATED HE SAW THE AIRPLANE 'COMING IN NOSE FIRST' AND THAT 'AT THE LAST MINUTE IT PULLED ITS NOSE UP AND HIT BELLY FIRST.' AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LEFT FUEL TANK EMPTY AND THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE ON THE LEFT TANK. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS FOUND FULL.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Apr 1991 | Cessna 172 | Detroit, Michigan, United States | Eximous Flying Club, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 5 May 1991 | Robinson R22 BETA | Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States | Lutz, Robert A | Minor injuries | - |
| 10 May 1991 | Cessna 182L | Port Huron, Michigan, United States | Douglas H. Mowat | No injuries | - |
| 11 May 1991 | Cessna 152 | Pontiac, Michigan, United States | Kitze Avaition, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 22 May 1991 | Cessna 177 | New Lothrop, Michigan, United States | Patrick J. Corcoran | No injuries | - |
| 10 Oct 1991 | Cessna 421B | Battle Creek, Michigan, United States | Aviation Specialist, Inc. | No injuries | - |