# NTSB LAX84FA025: Deley Starduster SA-100, N717MD, Wrightwood, CA, October 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1983, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Wrightwood, CA
- Coordinates: 34.360466, -117.610931 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3605&lon=-117.6109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23895/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA025

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN IN VMC WEATHER. THERE IS NO RECORD OF RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE ACFT ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT IMPACTED A 30 DEGREE UPSLOPE IN A 25 DEGREE NOSE DOWN WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. TWO WITNESSES SAID THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING IN A SOUTHEASTERLY DIRECTION. THEY SAID THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND CUT OUT AND THE ACFT BEGAN A LEFT TURN AS IF TO REVERSE COURSE. THE MOUNTAINS APPEARED HIGHER THAN THE ACFT AT THIS TIME. THE WITNESSES SAID THEY DID NOT SEE THE ACTUAL GROUND IMPACT BUT SAW DIRT FLY UP IN THE AIR. THEY RAN TO THE AREA AND FOUND THE WRECKAGE. THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL LINE WERE BROKEN BUT A COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY REPORTED SEEING AND SMELLING FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N717MD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N717MD-1986-08-18), registration cancelled 1986-08-18, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DELEY STARDUSTER SA-100
- Registry model: [Deley-Starduster SA-100](https://openairdocs.org/model/deley-starduster-sa-100) (registry code 86601KL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-G reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tony R. Dressel
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 310 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VCV, 17 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 19831022054949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831022054949A), Oct 22, 1983: Amtrso STARDUSTR100, Wrightwood, CA, Substantial damage. Witnesses heard engine running rough just before crash. Investigation did not reveal discrepancy.

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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