Amateur-built SPORT TRAINER accident near Ft. Calhoun, Nebraska, June 14, 1999
On June 14, 1999 at about 8:00 pm local time, a amateur-built SPORT TRAINER, registered N57HR, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ft. Calhoun, Nebraska (Bil-Lo Field). 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 pilot used an improper engine starting procedure in that he failed to reduce the throttle setting and to assure the airplane was adequately secured prior to starting.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 14, 1999 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Ft. Calhoun, Nebraska · Bil-Lo Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SPORT TRAINER SPORT TRAI
- Registration
- N57HR · registry record · serial 1357
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot chocked the left main gear and pulled the propeller through four times in an attempt to get the engine started. He was unable to start the engine and decided it was flooded. He went into the cockpit, opened the throttle and turned the magnetos off. He then pulled the propeller through in the opposite direction to clear the engine. He went back to the cockpit and turned the magnetos on, but forgot to reduce the throttle setting. He pulled the propeller through again and the engine started. The airplane turned to the left and traveled about 50 feet prior to contacting a hangar and coming to a stop.
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
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 250 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 12, 1999; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 95Y
- Destination: 95Y
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.