# NTSB LAX86FUM02: Star-Lite UNK, N42TJ, Ramona, CA, August 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1986, 07:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Ramona, CA
- Coordinates: 33.070632, -116.829246 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0706&lon=-116.8292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24955
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FUM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24955/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FUM02

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - wing - separation (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,design change - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL TEST FLIGHT OF AN EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT ACFT, THE PLT WAS CIRCLING APRX 700 FT AGL WHEN THE RIGHT WING SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE. THE ACFT ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLABLE STEEP ANGLE DIVE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. INSPECTION AS TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE PLT HAD ALTERED THE DESIGN OF THE ACFT FROM THE PUBLISHED CONSTRUCTION MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42TJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42TJ-2011-01-27), registration cancelled 2011-01-27, S/N 135 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STAR-LITE UNK
- Registry model: [Lynch Thomas E STAR-LITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/lynch-thomas-e-star-lite) (registry code 056123K) (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: 8
- Engines: ROTAX 447-3558731 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas E. Lynch
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 19, 1986, 8 hours before
- Departed: L39, RAMONA, CA
- Destination: L-39, ROMONA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 90 total, 8 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F

## 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 19860823041669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860823041669A), Aug 23, 1986: Amtras STARLITE, Ramona, CA, Destroyed. Right wing separated from aircraft inflight. Homebuilt was improperly constructed and flown with known deficiency.

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.