# NTSB BFO93LA105: Adolfson Starduster SA300, N10JA, Windsor, NY, July 4, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1993, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Windsor, NY
- Coordinates: 42.070182, -75.640754 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0702&lon=-75.6408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8780
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8780/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA105

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, LEADING TO AN AERODYNAMIC STALL.

## 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
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - residential area

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS FUELED WITH AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE AND FLOWN WITH NO REPORTED PROBLEMS TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE AIRPLANE WAS WASHED AND PREFLIGHTED.  THE PILOT STARTED THE ENGINE AND TAXIED TO THE END OF THE GRASS STRIP. AFTER TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE 'STOPPED DEAD.' THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND ENTER A 'NOSE DIVE'. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE 'PROBABLY STALLED'. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A DRIVEWAY IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND AIRFRAME DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10JA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10JA-2003-07-09), registration cancelled 2003-07-09, S/N 1601, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ADOLFSON STARDUSTER SA300 (STARDUSTER)
- Registry model: [Adolfson STARDUSTER SA300](https://openairdocs.org/model/adolfson-starduster-sa300) (registry code 8660230) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 364
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Raymond L. Osterhout
- Registered owner: Raymond L. Osterhout
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 1992, 1 hours before
- Airport: Private, runway 22, 1,600 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 535 total, 32 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BGM, 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 19930704021859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930704021859A), Jul 4, 1993: Amtr SA300, Windsor, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit on climbout. Aircraft stalled and dived nose first to ground. No engine defects. On test right mag inop

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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