# NTSB ERA11LA307: Flightstar Flightstar II, N194PG, Grantville, GA, May 22, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 22, 2011, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Grantville, GA - Coordinates: 33.258609, -84.844444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2586&lon=-84.8444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79167 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA307 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79167/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79167 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA307 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power while maneuvering due to a seized piston. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Flightstar FLIGHTSTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=05901Q2), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Flightstar FLIGHTSTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=05901Q2), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Flightstar FLIGHTSTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=05901Q2), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Flightstar FLIGHTSTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05901Q2), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Flightstar FLIGHTSTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05901Q2), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Flightstar FLIGHTSTAR II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901Q2), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the experimental light sport aircraft conducted a low pass over a runway and then applied engine power to climb. The airplane sustained a momentary loss of engine power followed by a sudden total loss of engine power due to the rear piston seizing. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and came to rest on a road. The airplane was equipped with a non-certificated engine that, according to the operator’s manual, was prone to sudden engine stoppage. ## Factual narrative On May 22, 2011, about 1945 eastern daylight time, a Flightstar Inc. Flightstar II experimental-light sport aircraft (E-LSA), N194PG, operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged after it experienced a loss of engine power while maneuvering and impacted terrain, in Grantville, Georgia. The certificated private pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight that departed from Newnan-Coweta County Airport (CCO), Newnan, Georgia. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the airplane was manufactured in 1993 and issued an E-LSA airworthiness certificate on December 8, 2006. It was purchased by the pilot on March 16, 2010. The pilot reported that he departed CCO and flew to an airport about 5 miles to the southwest without incident. He conducted a low-pass over the grass runway, and then applied engine power to climb. The airplane experienced a momentary loss of engine power, which was followed by a sudden total loss of engine power. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and came to rest on a road. It sustained substantial damage to the forward portion of the cockpit, and the boom that supported the empennage was fractured. According to maintenance records, the airplane was equipped with a two-cycle Rotax 503 series engine, which had been operated for about 55 hours since new. The airplane had been operated for about for 965 total hours, which included 30 hours since its most recent condition inspection, which was performed on May 25, 2010. Initial examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector did not reveal any obvious mechanical malfunctions. The engine was rotated by hand and compression was noted in both cylinders. Two spark plugs removed from the engine were brownish in color and exhibited "normal" wear when compared to a Champion spark plug chart. Approximately 5 gallons of fuel consistent with automotive gasoline was observed in the fuel tank and fuel was observed in the fuel lines to both carburetors. A subsequent disassembly of the engine by the pilot revealed scoring and other damage consistent with the rear piston seizing during engine operation. The safety information section of the engine operators manual stated the following, in part: "WARNING: This engine, by its design, is subject to sudden stoppage. Engine stoppage can result in crash landing, forced landings or no power landings. Such crash landing can lead to serious bodily injury or death. WARNING: This is not a certificated aircraft engine. It has not received any safety or durability testing, and conforms to no aircraft standards…." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N194PG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N194PG), registered now, S/N 1993P, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FLIGHTSTAR INC FLIGHTSTAR II - Registry model: [Flightstar FLIGHTSTAR II](https://openairdocs.org/model/flightstar-flightstar-ii) (registry code 05901Q2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503DCSI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503dcsi) (registry code 55567, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1993P - Airframe hours: 967 - Engines: ROTAX 503DCSI 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 25, 2010, 30 hours before - Departed: CCO, Newnan, GA - Destination: CCO, Newnan, GA - Airport: CCO, Newnan-Coweta ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 6, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 15 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: CCO, 5 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 20110522008939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110522008939A), May 22, 2011: Flightstar Inc FLIGHTSTAR II, Grantville, GA, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed kcco at about 1745L for a local area part 91 flight, after approximately a 20 min flight the pilot proceeded to a private use field (80GA)… ## Other investigations on N194PG (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 ERA22LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA136), Feb 24, 2022: Flightstar Flightstar II (N194PG), Holly Hill, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of control during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in a collision with a hangar and trees. ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 2, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79167. 16.3 MB in all. - Special Airworthiness Certificate (item 1, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359482&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Special%20Airworthiness%20Certificate-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 293 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359481&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359483&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Excerpt from Aircraft Logbook (item 4, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359484&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Aircraft%20Logbook-Redacted.PDF - Excerpt from Engine Operators Manual (Section 4.2: Safety Information) (item 5, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359485&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Engine%20Operators%20Manual%20(Section%204.2%3A%20Safety%20Information)%20-Master.PDF - Email from Airplane Owner and Rotech Flight Safety (item 6, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362308&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20from%20Airplane%20Owner%20and%20Rotech%20Flight%20Safety-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1: View of airplane as it came to rest (Provided by FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 5.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359487&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%3A%20View%20of%20airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 2: View of engine after airplane recovery. (Provided by FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 6.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359489&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%3A%20View%20of%20engine%20after%20airplane%20recovery.%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)%20-Master.PDF - Photograph # 3: View of rear piston skirt (Provided by Owner/Pilot) (item 9, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362312&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%203%3A%20View%20of%20rear%20piston%20skirt%20(Provided%20by%20Owner%2FPilot)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 4: View of front piston skirt (Provided by Owner/Pilot) (item 10, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362313&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%204%3A%20View%20of%20front%20piston%20skirt%20(Provided%20by%20Owner%2FPilot)-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.