# NTSB FTW94LA081: Cannon Starduster II, N21RC, Brazoria, TX, February 3, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1994, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Brazoria, TX
- Coordinates: 28.950857, -95.360969 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9509&lon=-95.3610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18998
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18998/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA081

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE TECHNIQUE DURING THE FORCED LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE FUEL CONTAMINATION INDUCED PARTIAL POWER LOSS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - contamination (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - open field
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB FOLLOWING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. THE PILOT CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD BESIDE THE AIRPORT.  THE LANDING WAS HARD AND CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. INSPECTION REVEALED FUEL TANK SEALANT THROUGHOUT THE FUEL FEED SYSTEM.

## Factual narrative

On February 3, 1994, at 0915 central standard time, a Cannon Starduster II, N21RC, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing due to a partial power loss.  The pilot was not injured, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  No flight plan was filed for this personal flight which was on initial climb following takeoff from Brazoria Air Park, Texas.

According to the pilot, pre takeoff checks were normal and the engine began running rough at approximately 150 feet above ground level.  The pilot said he could not land on the remaining runway and decided to land in an open field beside the airport.  The pilot stated that the landing was "hard" and caused damage to the propeller, firewall, right wing, and landing gear.

The engine was examined by an FAA inspector who found fuel tank sealant throughout the fuel feed system.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21RC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21RC-2007-07-30), registration cancelled 2007-07-30, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CANNON STARDUSTER II (STARDUSTER)
- Registry model: [Cannon STARDUSTER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/cannon-starduster-ii) (registry code 8660313) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 888
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6-1002 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cissna, Lawrence E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1993, 24 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,182 total, 653 in this make and model, 1,071 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLS

## 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 19940203001419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940203001419A), Feb 3, 1994: Amtrso STARDUSTER2, Brazoria, TX, Substantial damage. Partial powerloss on takeoff. Made hard landing off airport. Fuel tank sealant in fuel system. Blocked fuel flow.

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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