# NTSB ATL95LA134: Stafford Aerosport Scamp, N99TJ, Abbeville, SC, July 15, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 1995, 20:15 local (Jul 15, 1995, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Abbeville, SC - Coordinates: 34.169445, -82.370307 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1694&lon=-82.3703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3594 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3594/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA134 ## Probable cause THE IMPROPER ENGINE OVERHAUL WHICH RESULTED IN METAL CONTAMINATION OF THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - miscellaneous,engine - contamination (cause) - maintenance,overhaul,major - improper, other maintenance personnel - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. HE SELECTED A FORCED LANDING AREA, AND ATTEMPTED A LANDING. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A STAND OF TREES. A REVIEW OF THE MAINTENANCE LOGS REVEALED THAT A RECENT CASE SAVERS MODIFICATION ON THE ENGINE HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. THIS MODIFICATION MACHINED EACH CYLINDER HEAD TO ACCEPT A SECOND SPARK PLUG. A COMPLETE ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE CRANKCASE AND INTERNAL COMPONENTS WERE CONTAMINATED WITH METAL DEBRIS. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 1995, at 2015 eastern daylight time, a Stafford Scamp, N99TJ, collided with trees during an attempted emergency landing six miles north of Abbeville, South Carolina. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed the private airstrip near Abbeville, at 2010 hours. According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff from the private airstrip, the airplane developed a gradual reduction in engine power. The pilot further stated that the smooth reduction in engine power prevented the airplane from maintaining altitude. The pilot selected an emergency landing area, and established a final approach; the airplane collided with trees short of the intended landing area. The homebuilt Scamp had undergone extensive engine remodification. Line boring, larger diameter cylinders, and dual spark plugs were installed. In addition, an electric starter, a secondary electric ignition system, and a slick aircraft magneto were installed. During the engine teardown, it was revealed that upon further inspection, about a teaspoon of metal was recovered from oil screen. ## Aircraft - Registration: N99TJ (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: STAFFORD AEROSPORT SCAMP (AEROSPORT) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 30 - Airframe hours: 196 - Engines: Volkswagen 1915CC 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ronnie Carver - Registered owner: T J Stafford - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1995, 1 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: NONE, SC - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 26, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 266 total, 1 in this make and model, 164 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AND, 25 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 19950714049739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950714049739A), Jul 14, 1995: Abbeville, SC, Destroyed. (-16) After takeoff the aircraft experienced a gradual loss of power and was unable to sustain flight. Attempted return to airport. Force landed 6 miles n. of… 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.