# NTSB DEN89LA134: Ryan ST-3KR, N48749, La Salle, CO, June 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1989, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: La Salle, CO
- Coordinates: 40.340686, -104.700271 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3407&lon=-104.7003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17718
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17718/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA134

## Probable cause

FOREIGN MATERIAL (INSECT NEST) BLOCKING THE FUEL SYSTEM VENT, WHICH RESULTED IN A RESTRICTION OF FUEL FLOW AND FUEL STARVATION. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE ALFALFA CROP IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT WAS FLYING HIS ANTIQUE AIRPLANE ON A LOCAL FLIGHT TO CHECK THE COMPASS. THIS PLANE HAD BEEN UNDER RESTORATION FOR AN EXTENDED TIME PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT.DURING FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AN ALFALFA FIELD. AFTER ROLLING 200 FT IN 18 INCH HIGH ALFALFA, THE PLANE NOSED OVER. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE FUEL TANK VENT WAS CLOGGED BY AN INSECT NEST (DIRT), WHICH RESTRICTED THE FLOW OF FUEL. AFTER THE VENT WAS CLEANED, THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48749](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48749-2012-02-14), registration cancelled 2012-02-14, S/N 1402 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN ST-3KR
- Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1402
- Airframe hours: 3514
- Engines: KINNER R-56 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold F. Schmidt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1989, 2 hours before
- Departed: GXY, GREELEY, CO
- Destination: GXY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 759 total, 148 in this make and model, 713 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19890606014409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890606014409A), Jun 6, 1989: Ryan ST3KR, La Salle, CO, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Nosed over landing in an alfalfa field. Found fuel tank vent clogged by a dirt dauber insect.

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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