# NTSB ATL85FIJ01: Starduster SA-100, N21GT, Point Pleasant, WV, September 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1985, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Point Pleasant, WV
- Coordinates: 38.850574, -82.130424 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8506&lon=-82.1304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6647
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FIJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6647/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FIJ01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT SHE MADE A NORMAL PREFLT. SHE REPORTED THAT THE FLOAT TYPE FUEL GAGE INDICATED THAT THE MAIN FUEL TANK, WHICH HAD A CAPACITY OF 12 GAL, WAS HALF FULL. WHILE CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 500 FT AGL AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG SPUTTERED & LOST POWER. THE PLT PUMPED THE THROTTLE & THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING AGAIN FOR ABOUT 1 OR 2 SECS, THEN IT QUIT AGAIN. THE PLT TURNED AWAY FROM HOUSES & TRIED TO GLIDE TO A CORN FIELD. HOWEVER, SHE WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE FIELD & LANDED THE ACFT IN TREES. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED ONLY RESIDUAL FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE MAIN FUEL TANK & THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THAT POSITION. THE LEFT AUX FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY, BUT THE RIGHT AUX TANK WAS NEARLY FULL. DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE MAIN FUEL TANK, THE FUEL LEVEL IN IT COULD NOT BE VISUALLY SEEN. ALSO, DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE BOBBER/FLOAT ON THE MAIN FUEL INDICATOR, THE ROD COULD STICK TO THE SIDES OF THE FILLER NECK. A WITNESS VERIFIED THAT THE FLOAT INDICATOR GAGE INDICATED HALF FULL DURING THE PREFLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21GT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21GT-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N GTG-1, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STARDUSTER SA-100
- Registry model: [Starduster SA-100](https://openairdocs.org/model/starduster-sa-100) (registry code 86601LA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: GTG-1
- Airframe hours: 348
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-G 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ms. Hilda F. Worley
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1985, 12 hours before
- Departed: 3I2
- Destination: 3I2
- Airport: Mason County, runway 25, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 175 total, 2 in this make and model, 94 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19850922046729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850922046729A), Sep 22, 1985: Amtrso STARDUSTR100, Point Pleasant, WV, Substantial damage. Engine quit after takeoff. Struck trees during landing. Erroneous fuel reading on main tank. Aux tank not selected.

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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