# NTSB FTW93LA136: Tuttle Star Lite, N319JR, Conroe, TX, April 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1993, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Conroe, TX
- Location: 30.3119° N, 95.4561° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Conroe, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3119&lon=-95.4561&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18734
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18734/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA136

## Probable cause

A POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING

## 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, cruise
  - powerplant - seized (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

AT APPROXIMATELY 1,500 FEET MSL THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING TO A GOLF COURSE ACTIVE WITH GOLFERS. THE LEFT WING HIT THE TOP OF A BUNKER AND THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED, COMING TO REST INVERTED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE BY THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTORS INDICATED THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED

## Factual narrative

On April 22, 1993, at approximately 1830 central daylight time, during a forced landing near Conroe, Texas, a Tuttle Star Lite, N319JR, was destroyed when it impacted the terrain. Minor injuries were sustained by the private pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight.

The pilot reported the information in this paragraph during interviews conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration inspectors. At approximately 1,500 feet MSL, the engine lost power over unsuitable terrain. The left wing struck a bunker and the airplane cartwheeled, coming to rest inverted.

An on site examination of the airplane conducted by the inspectors confirmed that the engine was seized.

The airplane was released to the owner following the investigation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N319JR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N319JR-2013-07-02), registration cancelled 2013-07-02, S/N 135, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TUTTLE STAR LITE
- Registry model: [Tuttle Wallace S STAR-LITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/tuttle-wallace-s-star-lite) (registry code 05613WF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 135
- Airframe hours: 50
- Engines: ROTAX 447 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carson, Robert W.
- Registered owner: Carson, Robert W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1991, 1 hours before
- Departed: CXO
- Destination: CXO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 232 total, 50 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CXO, 10 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 19930422009799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930422009799A), Apr 22, 1993: Amtras STARLITE, Conroe, TX, Destroyed. Engine seized en route. Wing struck a bunker on forced landing. Homebuilt cartwheeled. No annual inspection.

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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