Accident Smith DSA-1 Miniplane N39F, Saturday 20 August 1988

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Date:	Saturday 20 August 1988
Time:	20:45 LT
Type:	Smith DSA-1 Miniplane
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N39F
MSN:	DSA-50-1
Total airframe hrs:	395 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-290
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Superior, WI - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Superior, WI
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
WHILE IN NORMAL CRUISE THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY DESCENT TO A FORCED LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT REPORTED NO INJURIES. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FRACTURE OF THE FUEL LINE, HAD OCCURRED AT THE POINT WHERE THE PILOT/OWNER HAD INSTALLED AN AUTOMOTIVE TYPE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THE REGULATOR HAD NOT BEEN SUPPORTED PROPERLY TO GUARD AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF VIBRATION.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: