# NTSB LAX88DUG01: Smith DSA-1, N2Q, Upland, CA, January 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: January 7, 1988, 13:18 local (21:18 UTC)
- Place: Upland, CA
- Coordinates: 34.099925, -117.660766 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0999&lon=-117.6608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25715
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DUG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25715/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DUG01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
  - fuel system,carburetor float - locked (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD PERFORMED A MODERATE TO SEVERE 'NOSEOVER' AT 4000 FT AGL. THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND THEN QUIT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD PERFORMED MAINTENANCE ON THE CARBURETOR JUST PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE NEAR THE AIRPORT WHERE THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A PERIMETER FENCE AND A DIRT EMBANKMENT. DURING THE POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND. THE CARBURETOR FLOATBOWL WAS FOUND EMPTY OF FUEL, HOWEVER, AND THE FUEL LINE TO THE CARBURETOR CONTAINED FUEL AND WAS UNRESTRICTED. THE FUEL TANK HELD APRX 5 GALS OF FUEL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN INVERTED FLIGHT CARBURETOR/FUEL SYSTEM. A STUCK CARBURETOR FLOAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE DESCRIBED POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2Q-1988-04-29), registration cancelled 1988-04-29, S/N MH-101, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMITH DSA-1
- Registry model: [Smith Miniplane DSA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-miniplane-dsa-1) (registry code 83501YB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: MH-101
- Airframe hours: 242
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George Batterton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 30, 1987, 33 hours before
- Airport: CCB, Cable Airport, runway 24, 3,785 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,050 total, 250 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880107000249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880107000249A), Jan 7, 1988: Amtrsm DSA1, Upland, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on test flight. Traffic caused pilot to land short. Hit a fence. Self made gas cap check valve defect.

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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