# NTSB ERA09CA351: Dreyer Starduster, N3LD, Cowlesville, NY, June 15, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 15, 2009, 15:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Cowlesville, NY - Coordinates: 42.77639, -78.549163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7764&lon=-78.5492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74060 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA351 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74060/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74060 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA351 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight fuel inspection. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dreyer STARDUSTER SA300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=8660207), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Dreyer STARDUSTER SA300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=8660207), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Dreyer STARDUSTER SA300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=8660207), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Dreyer STARDUSTER SA300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=8660207), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot-owner of the amateur-built, tandem-seat airplane, prior to departure the partially filled main fuel tank contained an estimated 11 gallons of fuel. The pilot-owner based the quantity on the fuel gauge reading and his 9 years' experience with the airplane, but did not "stick" the tank. Another pilot, seated in the front seat, stated that the pilot-owner also observed "some" fuel in the auxiliary fuel tank, as "indicated by the float." After taking off and climbing the airplane to 3,000 feet, the pilot-owner demonstrated some maneuvers, which the front seat pilot then performed. None of the maneuvers were aerobatic, as fuel would have spilled from the non-sealed auxiliary tank. After maneuvering, the pilot-owner advanced the throttle to return to the airport, but the engine remained at what he thought was "low power" with "engine sound continuous - perhaps just above idle." The pilot-owner established a glide, activated the fuel boost pump, moved the fuel selector to the auxiliary tank, checked both magnetos, and tried various throttle settings before advancing the throttle to full and returning the fuel selector to the main tank. The pilot-owner subsequently performed a forced landing to a corn field, and upon touchdown, the landing gear sheared and the airplane nosed over. The following day, a Federal Aviation Administration examination of the airplane revealed damage to the left wing spar and rudder, and no fuel present in the fuel tanks, fuel lines or gascolator. An unknown quantity of fuel had leaked out of the auxiliary fuel tank. The pilot-owner subsequently noted, "it has become obvious that the engine quit for a lack of fuel," and that he felt the reason the auxiliary fuel did not "re-start" the engine was due to vapor lock. He further stated, "the major error I committed, was trusting the…fuel quantity indicated and not refueling the aircraft prior to this flight." ## Factual narrative According to the pilot-owner of the amateur-built, tandem-seat airplane, prior to departure, the partially filled main fuel tank contained an estimated 11 gallons of fuel. The pilot-owner based the quantity on the fuel gauge reading and his 9 years' experience with the airplane, but did not "stick" the tank. Another pilot, seated in the front seat, stated that the pilot-owner also observed "some" fuel in the auxiliary fuel tank, as "indicated by the float." After taking off and climbing the airplane to 3,000 feet, the pilot-owner demonstrated some maneuvers, which the front seat pilot then performed. None of the maneuvers were aerobatic, as fuel would have spilled from the non-sealed auxiliary tank. After maneuvering, the pilot-owner advanced the throttle to return to the airport, but the engine remained at what he thought was "low power" with "engine sound continuous - perhaps just above idle." The pilot-owner established a glide, activated the fuel boost pump, moved the fuel selector to the auxiliary tank, checked both magnetos, and tried various throttle settings before advancing the throttle to full and returning the fuel selector to the main tank. The pilot-owner subsequently performed a forced landing to a corn field, and upon touchdown, the landing gear sheared and the airplane nosed over. The following day, a Federal Aviation Administration examination of the airplane revealed damage to the left wing spar and rudder, and no fuel present in the fuel tanks, fuel lines or gascolator. An unknown quantity of fuel had leaked out of the auxiliary fuel tank. The pilot-owner subsequently noted, "it has become obvious that the engine quit for a lack of fuel," and that he felt the reason the auxiliary fuel did not "re-start" the engine was due to vapor lock. He further stated, "the major error I committed, was trusting the…fuel quantity indicated and not refueling the aircraft prior to this flight." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3LD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3LD-2013-04-15), registration cancelled 2013-04-15, S/N 1145, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DREYER STARDUSTER (Too SA-300) - Registry model: [Dreyer STARDUSTER SA300](https://openairdocs.org/model/dreyer-starduster-sa300) (registry code 8660207) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435C&D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435c-d-series) (registry code 41521, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1145 - Airframe hours: 630 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 C4BA 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Promise Recording Inc - Registered owner: Promise Recording Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 15, 2008, 11 hours before - Departed: BQR, Lancaster, NY - Destination: BQR, Lancaster, NY - Airport: BUF, Buffalo Niagara International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 14, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 35,700 total, 327 in this make and model, 28,900 as pilot in command - Co-pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: front ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BUF, 9 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 20090615012429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090615012429A), Jun 15, 2009: Dreyer STARDUSTERSA, Wales, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 15, 2009 at approximately 1610 EDT local time, an experimental amateur-built starduster SA-300 aircraft, s/n 1145, bearing reegistration number… ## Other investigations on N3LD (1) 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. - [NTSB BFO88LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA032), Mar 26, 1988: Dreyer-Starduster SA-300 (N3LD), Richlands, VA, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74060. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315824&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316002&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 3, .PDF, 192 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315825&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 4, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316032&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Passenger (item 5, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316142&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Passenger-Master.PDF - Weather Reports (item 6, .PDF, 200 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315826&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-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.