Amateur-built CA-8 accident near East Palestine, Ohio, September 8, 2000
On September 8, 2000 at about 3:30 pm local time, a amateur-built CA-8, registered N47XY, was substantially damaged in an accident near East Palestine, Ohio (Aero Flight Center 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
Fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection. A factor in this accident was the inadequate marking of the fuel selector valve to clearly indicate a fully open position.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 8, 2000 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- East Palestine, Ohio · Aero Flight Center · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CA-8
- Registration
- N47XY · no longer on the register · serial CA003
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to pilot, he performed a thorough pre-flight inspection and run-up of the homebuilt airplane prior to takeoff. He also stated that he checked the position of the fuel valve, which was located under the cockpit panel, by 'bumping' it with his foot. During the takeoff, the airplane accelerated and lifted off normally; however, when the airplane reached 150 feet above the runway, the engine began to lose power, 'like fuel starvation.' The pilot made a right turn and performed a forced landing to a soybean field. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The pilot stated the airplane's fuel tank capacity was 10 gallons, and he departed with about 4 gallons of fuel on board. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions; however, it was noted that the airplane's fuel valve, did not contain a 'hard stop' or detent, and could be rotated 360 degrees. The pilot reported he had not flown the airplane for over a year prior to the accident, and he did not recall the nature of the valve used during the airplane's construction. He believed the valve had a detent or manual stop, and was not aware that it could be rotated 360 degrees.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,541 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 1,700 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 108 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 800 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-145 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 55OI at 3:30 pm
- Destination: 38D Salem OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 3,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 12,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:50 pm from BVI, 10 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.