# NTSB FTW88DPJ12: Snyder Stolp SA-300, N57DH, Oklahoma City, OK, September 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1988, 11:27 local (16:27 UTC)
- Place: Oklahoma City, OK
- Coordinates: 35.669845, -97.749107 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6698&lon=-97.7491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DPJ12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22462/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DPJ12

## Probable cause

TOTAL FAILURE OF THE RUDDER CONTROL DUE TO FAILURE OF THE METAL WELDS ON THE CABLE ATTACHMENT TO THE RUDDER PEDAL, DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING BY THE MANUFACTURER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed
  - flt control syst,rudder control attach points - improper (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, manufacturer (cause)
  - flt control syst,rudder control attach points - overload
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES RPRTD THE PLT WAS DOING AEROBATICS NEAR THE ARPT. THEY OBSERVED TWO SNAP ROLLS, THEN SAW THE ACFT ENTER A SPIN TO THE RIGHT. THE WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT WAS MANEUVERING AT AN ESTIMATED 1,500 TO 1,900 FEET AGL, THEN IT SPUN, UNCORRECTED TO GROUND IMPACT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT IN THE REAR COCKPIT, THE RUDDER CABLE ATTACHMENT ON THE LEFT RUDDER PEDAL HAD FAILED. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THE FRACTURE WAS TYPICAL OF OVERSTRESS, BUT THE WELDED AREA HAD VOIDS & THERE WAS A LACK OF FUSION & PENETRATION IN THE WELDED AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57DH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57DH-1989-06-26), registration cancelled 1989-06-26, S/N 826 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SNYDER STOLP SA-300 (STOLP SA-3)
- Registry model: [Snyder STOLP SA-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/snyder-stolp-sa-300) (registry code 8660276) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 826
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Howard, H. David
- Registered owner: H. David Howard
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1988
- Departed: HSD5
- Airport: HSD, Sundance, runway 17, 5,000 ×  ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 708 total, 658 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWA, 3 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 19880917045399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880917045399A), Sep 17, 1988: Amtrso STARDUSTR300, Oklahoma City, OK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Entered a spin after 2 practice snap rolls and failed to recover. Left rudder pedal failed. Defective weld broke.

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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