Univair 108-1 accident near Mcgregor, Minnesota, September 22, 1985
On September 22, 1985 at about 10:15 pm local time, a Univair 108-1, registered N8403K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mcgregor, Minnesota (Bub Johnson airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. 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 22, 1985 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Mcgregor, Minnesota · Bub Johnson · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Univair 108-1
- Registration
- N8403K · no longer on the register · serial 108-1403
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 18 DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR ON TAKEOFF. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED FOR THE LEFT TANK AND THE LEFT TANK CONTAINED NO FUEL. THE CARBURETOR DID NOT CONTAIN FUEL NOR DID THE LEFT TANK FUEL LINES.
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
- Flight time: 80 hours in all; 37 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 30, 1982
- Maximum gross weight: 2,330 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A4-165-83 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Mcgregor MN
- Destination: Lino Lakes MN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,000 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,600 ft; not recorded at 1,600 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from HIB, 47 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.