Amateur-built ACRO-SPORT II accident near Escanaba, Michigan, August 2, 1989
On August 2, 1989 at about 4:00 pm local time, a amateur-built ACRO-SPORT II, registered N55NG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Escanaba, Michigan. 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
A LOOSE FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE CARBURETOR AND ENGINE WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: NO SUITABLE TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 1989 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Escanaba, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built ACRO-SPORT II ACRO-SPORT
- Registration
- N55NG · registry record · serial 005
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS TURNED ON AND POWER WAS MOMENTARILY REGAINED. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A BEACH DURING WHICH THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ON TOUCHDOWN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE BETWEEN THE CARBURETOR AND ENGINE WAS LOOSE. FUEL STAINS WERE FOUND NEAR THE LOOSE CONNECTION INSIDE THE ENGINE COWLING.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 500 hours in all; 46 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 40 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 48 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 1989; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,560 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OSH Oshkosh WI at 1:25 pm
- Destination: ESC Escanaba MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 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.