# NTSB ATL83LA332: Starduster II, N80FE, Wakefield, VA, August 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1983, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Wakefield, VA
- Coordinates: 36.959533, -76.980682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9595&lon=-76.9807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA332
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA332

## 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 - normal
  - ignition system,spark plug - improper (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - overtemperature (cause)
  - engine assembly,piston - overtemperature (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - burned (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE PROPELLER STOPPED. THE PASSENGER RECALLED HEARING A 'TICKING' SOUND FROM THE ENG PRIOR TO THE POWER LOSS. ACCORDING TO THE PLT & THE PASSENGER, THE ACFT STALLED & BEGAN TO SPIN AS THE PLT TRIED TO TURN INTO A BEAN FIELD DURING A FORCED LANDING APPROACH. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED A HOLE HAD BEEN BURNED THRU THE TOP OF THE #4 CYLINDER NEAR A SPARK PLUG HOLE. THE PISTON TOPS WERE FREE OF CARBON & HAD EVIDENCE OF EXCESSIVE HEAT, WHICH WOULD BE INDICATIVE OF DETONATION. THE #1 PISTON WAS SCUFFED, THERE WAS A SMALL SECTION MISSING FROM THE TOP SIDE OF THE PISTON & THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE PISTON AT THE BOTTOM COMPRESSION RING. A FUEL SAMPLE WAS CHECKED & DID NOT MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR AVIATION GASOLINE, BUT HAD CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. ADDITIONALLY, CHAMPION RHB32E SPARK PLUGS WERE FOUND IN THE ENG, BUT WERE NOT APPROVED IN THE CONTINENTAL IO-360-D.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80FE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80FE-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 62169, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STARDUSTER II
- Registry model: [Emerson F W STARDUSTER TOO](https://openairdocs.org/model/emerson-f-w-starduster-too) (registry code 86603AB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 62169
- Airframe hours: 57
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360 215 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fred L. Emerson
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 12, 1983, 57 hours before
- Departed: NEWPORT NEWS, VA
- Destination: PETERSBURG, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,756 total, 30 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830821043289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830821043289A), Aug 21, 1983: Amtrso STARDUSTER2, Wakefield, VA, Destroyed. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine failure. Automotive fuel had been used in engine.

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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