# NTSB ERA11LA434: Nord Stampe SV4C, N51SV, Rhinebeck, NY, July 31, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 2011, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Rhinebeck, NY
- Coordinates: 41.971389, -73.862777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9714&lon=-73.8628&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 6, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 81337
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA434
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81337/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81337
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA434

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Nord STAMPE SV4C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=6383006), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Nord STAMPE SV4C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md?model=6383006), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Nord STAMPE SV4C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=6383006), [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: [Nord STAMPE SV4C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=6383006), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was participating in an air show display known as a "bombing routine." Preflight and ground operations were normal, and the airplane departed with about 12 gallons of fuel on board. During one of the bombing passes, the engine made a "pop" sound and lost power. The pilot attempted to recover power with throttle movements without success. He checked the fuel valve and magnetos, but was unable to restart the engine. During a forced landing, the airplane clipped trees and came to rest, inverted, at the edge of a stand of trees near the runway. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of an engine malfunction or failure. It was noted that, at the time of the accident, the airplane was being operated in conditions conducive to carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

## Factual narrative

On July 31, 2011, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Nord Stampe SV4C, N51SV, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and collision with terrain at Old Rhinebeck Airport (NY94), Rhinebeck, New York. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an air show flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated at NY94 about 1500. The pilot reported the following. He was participating in an air show demonstration, called a "bombing routine." Fuel was added to the fuel tank prior to engine start, and the flight departed with about 12 gallons on board. Aircraft preflight and ground operations were normal. During one of the bombing runs, about 350 feet above the ground, he dropped his bomb and added throttle to pull up and away for the next pass. He heard a "pop" and the engine rpm decreased. He unsuccessfully attempted to recover the engine with throttle movements. He attempted a restart, confirmed the fuel valve positions, and checked the magnetos. Unable to restart the engine, he attempted a forced landing. The airplane clipped trees and came to rest, inverted, at the edge of a stand of trees at the south end of the runway. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. There were approximately five gallons of fuel remaining in the fuel tank. Both upper and lower wings received structural damage. An examination of the engine revealed normal spark plug color and wear and the exhaust was clean. Internal engine continuity was confirmed. The wreckage was recovered to the museum hangar where a detailed examination of the fuel system was performed. After recovery of the wreckage, the engine-driven fuel pump was removed from the engine and examined. The pump was disassembled and found in an "operational condition internally." No reason for the loss of engine power was found.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51SV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51SV-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 460, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORD STAMPE SV4C
- Registry model: [Nord STAMPE SV4C](https://openairdocs.org/model/nord-stampe-sv4c) (registry code 6383006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Renault H.P03](https://openairdocs.org/engine/renault-h-p03) (registry code 52512, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 460
- Airframe hours: 834
- Engines: RENAULT H.P03 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Air race/show, Part 91
- Operator: Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum
- Registered owner: Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, April 10, 2011, 12 hours before
- Departed: NY94, Rhinebeck, NY
- Destination: NY94, Rhinebeck, NY
- Airport: NY94, Old Rhinebeck Airport, runway 36, 2,200 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 20, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,650 total, 14 in this make and model, 4,450 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: POU, 20 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 20110731023519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110731023519A), Jul 31, 2011: Nord STAMPE SV4C, Rhinebeck, NY, Substantial damage. On 7/30/2011, the aircraft flew two airshow circuits without any discrepancies. On 7/31/2011, 4 gallons of fuel were added to the aircraft bringing the fuel…

## Other investigations on N51SV (2)

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 SEA96LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA008), Oct 15, 1995: Nord Stampe SV4C (N51SV), Cottage Grove, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: A PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATION DUE TO INADEQUATE MATERIAL. THE LACK OF A SUITABLE AREA FOR THE FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR.
- [NTSB OAK76DVD46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVD46), Aug 8, 1976: Stampe SV4C (N51SV), Pittsburg, CA, substantial damage

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81337. 826 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 756 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355115&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation with FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356200&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355116&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-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.

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