Amateur-built FR-1 accident near Independence, Oregon, June 18, 1993
On June 18, 1993 at about 2:05 pm local time, a amateur-built FR-1, registered N876FR, was substantially damaged in an accident near Independence, Oregon (Independence State 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 AND THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S NOT MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S NOT SELECTING THE FUEL BOOST PUMP AND HIGH VEGETATION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 18, 1993 · about 2:05 pm local time
- Place
- Independence, Oregon · Independence State · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built FR-1
- Registration
- N876FR · no longer on the register · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT ON THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT'S MAIDEN FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING STRAIGHT AHEAD INTO TALL GRASS DURING WHICH THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED TO A STOP. A WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT REPORTED ASSISTING THE PILOT IN SECURING AND EXITING THE AIRCRAFT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CRASH. ADDITIONALLY, THE WITNESS STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC BOOST PUMP SWITCH WAS IN THE 'OFF' POSITION AND THAT 'THE PILOT INDICATED TO ME THAT HE HAD FORGOTTEN TO TURN IT ON BEFORE THE TAKEOFF.'
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: 712 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 960 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 7S5 at 2:04 pm
- Destination: 7S5
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 3,070 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:50 pm from SLE, 9 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.