Amateur-built FLY FISHER accident near West Glacier, Montana, June 26, 2011
On June 26, 2011 at about 4:03 pm local time, a amateur-built FLY FISHER, registered N397JL, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near West Glacier, Montana (Ryan Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to water contamination in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 26, 2011 · about 4:03 pm local time
- Place
- West Glacier, Montana · Ryan Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built FLY FISHER
- Registration
- N397JL · no longer on the register · serial 5742
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, during his preflight inspection, he drained fuel from all three fuel drains with no evidence of water noted. During the takeoff roll, the airplane was about halfway down the runway when he heard a small pop and looked at the engine rpm gauge. The pilot stated that he saw no indication of a loss of engine power and decided to continue the takeoff. As the airplane was over the departure end of the runway, the engine lost all power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to an adjacent field. During the landing, the airplane struck trees and came to rest on its right side. The pilot added that when the engine lost power, it was "like it [the engine] had a slug of water." Examination of the recovered engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. Examination of the airframe fuel filter revealed that a small amount of clear liquid was within the filter bowl. The liquid was tested and found to be water. It is likely that the unusual attitude in which the airplane was parked during the pilot's preflight inspection may have allowed water to be trapped within different areas of the fuel tank that would have prevented the water from gathering at the lowest point within the fuel tank.
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
What happened, in order
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Fuel contamination during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 1,494 hours in all; 623 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: August 18, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 469 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 1, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Doug Sapp LLC
The flight
- Departed from: 2MT1 West Glacier MT at 4:03 pm
- Destination: Omak WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from GPI, 229 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.