Amateur-built PUD KNOCKER SPECIAL accident near Grafton, North Dakota, July 19, 1996
On July 19, 1996 at about 4:15 pm local time, a amateur-built PUD KNOCKER SPECIAL, registered N380BP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Grafton, North Dakota (Grafton Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the inadequate fuel system design by the builder which led to fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 19, 1996 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Grafton, North Dakota · Grafton Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built PUD KNOCKER SPECIAL PUD KNOCKE
- Registration
- N380BP · registry record · serial 1
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The engine sustained a total loss of power during climb out from runway 17. Following the loss of power the pilot turned the airplane 180 degrees and attempted to land on runway 35. The airplane landed approximately 2 blocks short of the runway 35 threshold. During the landing the airplane crossed a road and came to rest in a wheat field. The airplane's fuel system had been redesigned by the builder. The pilot reported that the engine quit because the fuel line pick up on the right fuel tank became uncovered during climb.
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: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,000 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 185 in the last 90 days; 65 in the last 30 days; 3,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GAF at 4:15 pm
- Destination: GAF
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:48 pm from GFK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CHI96LA250.