# NTSB LAX81FVG09: Stits SA11A, N9708A, Red Bluff, CA, December 12, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 12, 1980
- Place: Red Bluff, CA · RED BLUFF, CA
- Location: 40.1735° N, 122.2415° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Red Bluff, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1735&lon=-122.2415&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 30, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127742
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVG09
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVG09

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3703  80/12/12   RED BLUFF,CA        STITS SA11A         CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 53, 113
        TIME - 1500                    N9708A              PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      TOTAL HOURS, 7 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          RED BLUFF,CA                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ANTI-ICING/DEICING EQUIPMENT-IMPROPER OPERATION OF/OR FAILED TO USE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ICE-CARBURETOR
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ENGINE LOADED UP
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- PROLONGED GLIDE WITHOUT CARB HEAT OR CLEARING ENG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9708A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9708A-2009-09-04), registration cancelled 2009-09-04, S/N HA102 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STITS SA11A
- Registry model: [Adema-Hille STITS PLAYMATE SA11A](https://openairdocs.org/model/adema-hille-stits-playmate-sa11a) (registry code 8650613) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19801212075069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801212075069A), Dec 12, 1980: Amtrsa STITSSA11A, Red Bluff, CA, Substantial damage. Failed to use carb heat during prolonged glide. Engine quit due to carb ice. Landed in an orchard.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.