# NTSB ATL95LA018: Bartholomew Firestar, N432JR, High Point, NC, November 25, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 25, 1994, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: High Point, NC - Location: 35.9557° N, 80.0053° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of High Point, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9557&lon=-80.0053&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3499 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3499/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA018 ## Probable cause THE INADVERTENT DEACTIVATION OF THE ENGINE IGNITION SYSTEM BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - ignition system,ignition switch - switched off (cause) - powerplant controls - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS FLYING AT 2,000 FEET MSL WHEN HE REACHED FOR A MAP. AS HE DID THIS, HE INADVERTENTLY SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IGNITION TOGGLE SWITCH. THE ENGINE QUIT, AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE PRIOR TO A COLLISION WITH TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WITH THE AIRCRAFT, AND NONE WAS FOUND DURING THE EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE. ## Factual narrative On November 25, 1994, at 1530 eastern standard time, a Bartholomew Firestar, N432JR, collided with trees during a forced landing in High Point, North Carolina. The commercial pilot had minor injuries, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The homebuilt aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight to Waxhaw, North Carolina. The flight originated in Greensboro, North Carolina, at 1450. The pilot reported that the aircraft was in cruise flight, at 2,000 feet mean sea level, when he reached for a map. As he did this, he inadvertently switched off the ignition toggle switch. The engine quit, and he could not restart the engine in time to avert a forced landing. The aircraft collided with cedar trees during the landing, resulting in structural damage to the pilot cage. An examination of the aircraft did not reveal evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure, and none was reported by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N432JR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N432JR-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N BHHW-1 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BARTHOLOMEW FIRESTAR - Registry model: [Bartholomew Paul FIRESTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/bartholomew-paul-firestar) (registry code 05612DZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Ultralight, amateur-built - Serial number: BHHW-1 - Airframe hours: 356 - Engines: ROTAX 377 37 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bartholomew, Paul R. - Registered owner: Bartholomew, Paul R. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1994, 5 hours before - Departed: W88, GREENSBORO, NC - Destination: NC18, WAXHAW, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,200 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GSO, 10 nm away ## 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 19941125039249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941125039249A), Nov 25, 1994: Amtr FIRESTARMK12, High Point, NC, Substantial damage. Accidentlly turned off ignition en route. Unable restart. Struck trees landing. ## Other investigations on N432JR (1) 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. - [NTSB ATL04LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA033), Nov 2, 2003: Bartholomew Firestar (N432JR), Waxhaw, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering on final approach resulting in an inadvertent stall and in-flight collision with trees and the ground. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.