# NTSB LAX85FA179: Stracener Experimental SX, N2297, Fremont, CA, March 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1985, 16:24 local (Mar 19, 1985, 00:24 UTC)
- Place: Fremont, CA
- Coordinates: 37.560256, -121.980064 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5603&lon=-121.9801&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): 24479
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24479/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA179

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING LEASED TO THE ATR PLT BY THE REGISTERED OWNER. THIS WAS THE PLT'S FIRST FLT IN THE ACFT. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARBURETOR ICING. JUST PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE OWNER ADVISED THE PLT THAT THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A LOW PRESSURE CARBURETOR WHICH WAS VERY SUSEPTIBLE TO ICING. THE PLT REPORTED HE HAD A ROUGH RUNNING ENG, DECLARED AN EMERG, & SAID HE WAS RETURNING TO THE ARPT. SUBSEQUENTLY HE REPORTED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PUT IT IN SHORT. WITNESSES SAID THE ENG WAS SPUTTERING, POPPING, & CUTTING OUT JUST BEFORE IT QUIT. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A LEFT BANK, LOST ALT, CRASHED & BURNED. FINAL DESCENT ANGLE WAS AT LEAST 60 DEGREES. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE ENG, OR ANY OF ITS COMPONENTS, DURING ENG DISADSEMBLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2297](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2297), registered now, S/N 1, built 1926 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STRACENER EXPERIMENTAL SX
- Registry model: [Winstead Bros WINSTEAD SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/winstead-bros-winstead-special) (registry code 9740102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright CURTISS OX5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-curtiss-ox5) (registry code 67002, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 32
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James M Allen
- Registered owner: Ivan R. Stracener
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1985, 0 hours before
- Departed: HWD, HAYWARD, CA
- Airport: Q59, Fremont

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 13,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HWD, 11 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 19850318041589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850318041589A), Mar 18, 1985: Amtr SX, Fremont, CA, Destroyed. Engine lost power and aircraft collided with terrain. Probable carburetor ice and pilot not famaliar with aircraft.

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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