# NTSB BFO87DIG06: Striplin SKY Ranger, N4925S, Easton, MD, June 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1987, 10:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Easton, MD
- Coordinates: 38.770675, -76.06005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7707&lon=-76.0601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87DIG06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11272/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87DIG06

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - ignition system - loose (cause)
  - maintenance - improper (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER TAKING OFF ON A TEST FLT, THE PLT REMAINED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN & WAS ON DOWNWIND WHEN THE ENG SURGED OR SPUTTERED, THEN LOST POWER. SOON THEREAFTER, THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP DSCNT & CRASHED. THE EXPERIMENTAL, HOME BUILT ACFT HAD ONLY 11 HRS OF FLT TIME. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAME WAS FND. HOWEVER, DISASSEMBLYOF THE ENG REVEALED THE BREAKER POINT MOUNTING PLATE & MACHINE SCREWS (BOLTS) WERE LOOSE. THE BOLTS HAD BACKED OUT OF THE THREADED HOLES & WERE BENT. ONE BOLT WAS LODGED BTN THE FLYWHEEL & THE ENG HOUSING, RESTRICTING ROTATION. THE LOOSE BREAKER POINT MOUNTING PLATE WAS PART OF THE IGNITION SYS. IT HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON THE ENG HOUSING WITH 2 BOLTS, WASH- ERS & LOCK WASHERS. RPRTDLY, THE LOCK WASHER(S) HAD BECOME FLAT, INDCG LOSS OF ELASTICITY (LOCKING ABILITY). PREVIOUSLY,THE FLT CTL SYS HAD INSUFFICIENT ELEV CTL AT HI & LOW PWR SETTINGS; TO CORRECT THIS, AN ELEV SPRING WAS INSTALLED & THE ELEV CABLE ATTACHMENT BRACKET WAS REPOSITIONED, BUT THE PREIMPACT COND OF THE ELEV CTL SYS WAS NOT VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4925S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4925S-1991-04-01), registration cancelled 1991-04-01, S/N 830051SR (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STRIPLIN SKY RANGER
- Registry model: [Carbaugh George STRIPLIN SKY RANGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/carbaugh-george-striplin-sky-ranger) (registry code 0565733) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 830051
- Airframe hours: 7
- Engines: ROTAX 503 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: George S. Carbaugh
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 27, 1986, 11 hours before
- Airport: ESN, Easton, runway 22, 4,000 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 105 total, 8 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBY

## 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 19870620020789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870620020789A), Jun 20, 1987: Amtr SKYRANGER, Easton, MD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft spun into the ground after engine failure. Breaker mounting plate found loose. Elevator was modified.

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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