# NTSB FTW92LA069: Ralph Legate Stits Skycoup, N92RL, Conway, AR, February 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1992, 15:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Conway, AR
- Coordinates: 35.070228, -92.360923 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0702&lon=-92.3609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18442/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA069

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE WITH THE GUY WIRE. A FACTOR WAS THE FUEL STARVATION CAUSED BY FAILURE OF THE CARBURETOR FLOAT.

## 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, maneuvering
  - fuel system,carburetor float - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - guy wire
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE MANEUVERING BELOW 500 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT FOR A FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A GUY WIRE THAT WAS SUSPENDED BETWEEN TWO POWER LINE TOWERS. THE POWER LOSS WAS CAUSED BY A STUCK OPEN FLOAT IN THE CARBURETOR WHICH RESULTED IN A FLOODED CARBURETOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92RL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92RL-1992-08-20), registration cancelled 1992-08-20, S/N 33026RL (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RALPH LEGATE STITS SKYCOUP (STITS SKYC)
- Registry model: [Legate Ralph N LEGATE STITS SKYCOUP](https://openairdocs.org/model/legate-ralph-n-legate-stits-skycoup) (registry code 8651216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 33020RL
- Airframe hours: 223
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290G 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Legate, Ralph N.
- Registered owner: Legate, Ralph N.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 5, 1991, 11 hours before
- Departed: MO3

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 210 in this make and model, 2,400 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 24 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 19920213002899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920213002899A), Feb 13, 1992: Amtrsa STITSSA7D, Conway, AR, Destroyed. Carbuetor float stuck in open position. Flooded engine lost power. Struck power line and crashed on forced landing.

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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