# NTSB CEN12LA384: Peterson-Feder-Splinter Starduster TOO, N76NP, Lake Dallas, TX, June 16, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 15, 2012, 19:45 local (Jun 16, 2012, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Lake Dallas, TX - Coordinates: 33.125556, -97.008613 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1256&lon=-97.0086&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84035 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA384 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84035/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84035 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA384 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power on takeoff due to a stuck intake valve on the No. 2 cylinder. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Peterson-Feder-Splinter STARDUSTER TOO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=8660341), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Peterson-Feder-Splinter STARDUSTER TOO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=8660341), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, the airplane's engine lost partial power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude, so he elected to perform a forced landing. He turned the airplane to the left to avoid a crowded marina, and the airplane stalled and impacted the water. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 2 cylinder's intake valve was stuck in the open position. ## Factual narrative On June 15, 2012, at 1945 central daylight time, N76NP, an amateur built-experimental Stolp Starduster SA-300 airplane, sustained substantial damage when it made a forced landing to a canal after a partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Lakeview Airport (30F), Lake Dallas, Texas. The airline transport pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local pleasure flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and confirmed there were 12.5 gallons of fuel in the fuel tank, which was enough for a 1 hour and 20 minute flight. After finding no anomalies during the preflight; engine start, and engine run-up, the pilot and his passenger departed for a 15 minute flight around Lake Lewisville before returning to the airport. The pilot made a low pass over runway 18R before he re-entered the traffic pattern and made a touch and go landing. During climb-out, at an altitude of approximately 100 feet above the ground, the engine began "producing less than full power." The pilot quickly verified the throttle was full forward; the mixture was rich, and the carburetor heat was the full forward (cold) position. It was also at this time, that he began to smell unburned fuel. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and prepared for a landing straight ahead, but there was a crowded marina. The pilot elected to make a left hand turn away from the marina knowing that the airplane would most likely stall. The airplane stalled, the left wing dropped, and the airplane impacted the water in a 45 to 90 degree nose down angle. The pilot said the engine was still running when they hit the water but at a reduced RPM. The airplane was recovered from the water approximately 2.5 hours after the accident and placed in the owner's hanger. According to the pilot,the gascolator was bent and leaking fuel. He also said the lower and upper left wings, and lower right wing had spar and rib damage. The airplane owner performed an examination of the engine and said the engine was rotated using the starter via the ignition switch. When the engine was rotated, the mechanical fuel pump was observed pumping fuel; however, due to water damage the magnetos did not spark. The fuel line to the mechanical fuel pump was removed and fuel was found in the line. The carburetor was removed and disassembled. The bowl was full of water. A compression check was successful on each cylinder except the #2 cylinder (#1-74 psi, #2-20 psi, #3-70 psi, and #4-70 psi). Removal of the #2 cylinder revealed the intake valve was stuck in the open position. The pilot held an airline transport pilot rating for airplane multi-engine land. In addition, he held an airplane single-engine sea rating and an airframe and powerplant certificate. The pilot's last FederalAviation Administration (FAA) First Class medical was issued on March 7, 2012. He reported a total of 11,250 total hours, of which, 40 hours were in the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76NP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76NP), registered now, S/N SA-300-726 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PETERSON-FEDER-SPLINTER STARDUSTER TOO - Registry model: [Peterson-Feder-Splinter STARDUSTER TOO](https://openairdocs.org/model/peterson-feder-splinter-starduster-too) (registry code 8660341) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: SA-300-726 - Airframe hours: 1569 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mcmeans Tommie D - Registered owner: Mcmeans Tommie D - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 2, 2011 - Departed: 30F, Lake Dallas, TX - Destination: 30F, Lake Dallas, TX - Airport: 30F, Lakeview Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; seat: front; flight hours: 11,250 total, 40 in this make and model, 2,310 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: DFW, 14 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 20120615011909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120615011909A), Jun 15, 2012: Peterson-Feder-Splinter STARDUSTER TOO, Lake Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he tookoff from 30F with a friend flying around lake lewisville for approximately 15 minutes then returned to 30F for some touch and go's. he… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 8, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84035. 7.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391914&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation-FAA (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391915&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-FAA-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Thomas McMeans, Owner (item 3, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391917&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Thomas%20McMeans,%20Owner-Master.PDF 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.