Amateur-built Fly Baby accident near Altus, Arkansas, June 29, 2003
On June 29, 2003 at about 11:24 pm local time, a amateur-built Fly Baby, registered N1878, was substantially damaged in an accident near Altus, Arkansas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors associated with the accident were the tree and evasive maneuver performed during the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2003 · about 11:24 pm local time
- Place
- Altus, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Fly Baby
- Registration
- N1878 · no longer on the register · serial 788-1
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane contacted the terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during an initial takeoff climb. The pilot reported having 13 gallons of fuel prior to takeoff. He reported the preflight, engine start, engine run-up, and takeoff were normal. The pilot reported that upon reaching an altitude of 150 feet, the engine lost power. He stated, "It then surged and began to run again. It did this three times then quit. I reached for the primer to see if I could pump enough fuel to stay airborne. The engine surged again when I used the primer then quit again." The pilot attempted to land in an open field and the left wing contacted the ground when he turned to avoid a tree. The fuselage broke in half during the impact and the fuel tank ruptured. The pilot stated, "Also there was no indication of any internal malfunction, shaking or backfiring of the engine. The engine shut down very smoothly but at a very inappropriate time." Inspection of the engine failed to reveal any failure/malfunction.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,805 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 2,805 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 30, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 276 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 30, 2003; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 944 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Altus AR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 2,600 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: vv; clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.