# NTSB FTW84LA231: Starduster SA-300, N3168, El Paso, TX, May 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1984, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Location: 31.7587° N, 106.4869° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of El Paso, TX, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7587&lon=-106.4869&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA231

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fuel system,pump - failure,partial (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE IN THE ARPT TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING, THE PLT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE AND LANDED SHORT OF THE RWY. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SAND DUNE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE ON PREVIOUS FLTS BUT HAD NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOTED TO BE MALFUNCTIONING DURING THIS FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3168](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3168-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N S1545, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STARDUSTER SA-300
- Registry model: [Starduster SA-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/starduster-sa-300) (registry code 86601MR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435) (registry code 41516, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 51545
- Airframe hours: 460
- Engines: LYCOMING O-435 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hubert W Davis
- Registered owner: Hubert W. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 1983
- Airport: TX04, West Texas, runway 8, 4,000 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 60 in this make and model, 126 as pilot in command, 129 in the last 90 days, 131 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °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 19840512018309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840512018309A), May 12, 1984: Amtrso STARDUSTER2, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit in the pattern. Struck a sand dune short of the runway. Pilot reported he was having fuel pump problems

## Other investigations on N3168 (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 NYC01LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA015), Oct 15, 2000: Moore Starduster SA-300 (N3168), Erwinna, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.

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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