# NTSB FTW87DPA03: Rollins Starlite, N172SL, Arlington, TX, June 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1987, 20:05 local (Jun 27, 1987, 01:05 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, TX
- Coordinates: 32.669521, -97.099456 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6695&lon=-97.0995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22171
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87DPA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22171/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DPA03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT FOR THE 156 HOUR PRIVATE PILOT IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE, HOWEVER, HE HAD PREVIOUSLY MADE SEVERAL HIGH SPEED TAXI RUNS IN IT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PILOT USED ONLY ABOUT HALF THROTTLE FOR THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT REPORTEDLY SHOULD HAVE LIFTED OFF WITHIN 300 FEET, BUT INSTEAD, IT FAILED TO BREAK GROUND UNTIL IT WAS ABOUT 2,000 FEET DOWN THE RUNWAY. IT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 50 FEET AGL AND THEN THE NOSE PITCHED UP TO ABOUT A 20 DEGREE ATTITUDE AND THE AIRSPEED DROPPED TO ABOUT 30 MPH OR LESS.  IT THEN STALLED AND ROLLED SHARPLY LEFT AND WENT INVERTED. THE AIRCRAFT THEN ENTERED A NEAR VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE WHICH WAS MAINTAINED UNTIL GROUND IMPACT OCCURRED. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF AIRCRAFT, ENGINE, OR SYSTEM FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. LIKEWISE, THE PATHOLOGICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE PILOT REVEALED NO SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N172SL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N172SL-1998-06-17), registration cancelled 1998-06-17, S/N 172 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROLLINS STARLITE
- Registry model: [Rollins Kenny J STAR-LITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/rollins-kenny-j-star-lite) (registry code 056125K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 172
- Airframe hours: 56
- Engines: ROTAX 447 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alton R.Rollins
- Registered owner: Kenny J. Rollins
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 8, 1987, 10 hours before
- Airport: F54, Arlington, runway 34, 4,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 156 total, 116 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NBE, 8 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 19870626027289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870626027289A), Jun 26, 1987: Amtras STARLITE, Arlington, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled the homebuilt on takeoff climb. Vertical impact. First flight in type.

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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