Amateur-built MITCHELL P-38 accident near Sheridan, Michigan, September 1, 1983
On September 1, 1983 at about 7:10 pm local time, a amateur-built MITCHELL P-38, registered N81TE, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sheridan, Michigan (Russell Field). 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
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 1, 1983 · about 7:10 pm local time
- Place
- Sheridan, Michigan · Russell Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MITCHELL P-38 MITCHELL P
- Registration
- N81TE · registry record · serial L-208
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT NOSED DOWN IN A CROP OF CORN DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT 200 FT AGL DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB. DURING THE TURN BACK TO THE AIRSTRIP THE LEFT WING STALLED. THE PILOT SAID HE RECOVERED ABOUT 10 FT AGL BUT THE CORN STALKS SLOWED THE ACFT AND FORCED THE NOSE DOWN. AFTER THE ACCIDENT AN INSPECTION SHOWED A FUEL LINE CRIMPED AGAINST THE TANK CAUSING A PARTIAL BLOCKING OF FUEL FLOW. THIS IS A HOMEBUILT ACFT.
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: student
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 90 hours in all; 82 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 82 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 82 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 21, 1983
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cuyuna NOT REPORTED (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 1,700 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,500 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:52 pm from GRR, 18 miles away
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.