# NTSB ANC94LA095: Starman Teirra II, N43111, North Pole, AK, July 31, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1994, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: North Pole, AK
- Coordinates: 64.770484, -147.329452 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7705&lon=-147.3295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2532
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2532/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA095

## Probable cause

THE SEIZURE OF THE NO. 2 CYLINDER AS A RESULT OF AN INADEQUATE COOLING SYSTEM FOR THE HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,cylinder - seized (cause)
  - cooling system - inadequate (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE QUIT WITHOUT WARNING.  A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT THE NO. 2 ENGINE CYLINDER HAD OVERHEATED AND SEIZED UP.  AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS 95 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.

## Factual narrative

On July 31, 1994, at 1400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Starman Teerra-II experimental homebuilt ultralight airplane, N43111, owned and operated by the pilot, collided with terrain as a result of a total loss of engine power while in cruise flight.  The accident site is across from the Bradley Sky Ranch Airport on the south side of the Tanana River.  The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the ultralight was substantially damaged.  The local VFR pleasure flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed the Bradley Skyranch Airport at about 1330.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was on file.

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, while in cruise flight at 200 ft. above the ground, the engine quit without warning.  He performed an emergency landing by stalling the airplane just above a lightly wooded area and letting it settle into the trees.

A post accident examination of the engine by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that the No. 2 engine cylinder had overheated and seized up.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43111](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43111-2015-05-06), registration cancelled 2015-05-06, S/N 121691, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STARMAN TEIRRA II
- Registry model: [Starman Sylvester H T-BIRD](https://openairdocs.org/model/starman-sylvester-h-t-bird) (registry code 05618GZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 121691
- Airframe hours: 110
- Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Starman, Sylvester H.
- Registered owner: Starman, Sylvester H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1993, 110 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total, 110 in this make and model, 230 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19940731024359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940731024359A), Jul 31, 1994: Amtr TBIRD, North Pole, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed across river from airport. R2 cylinder overheated and seized.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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