# NTSB LAX88DUJ02: Sadler Vampire, N3153Y, Mesa, AZ, November 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1987, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.539215, -111.959907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5392&lon=-111.9599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25723
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DUJ02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25723/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DUJ02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly,ring - burned (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,piston - burned (cause)
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, WHILE CLIMBING TO ALTITUDE, THE ENGINE QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A DIRT ROAD WHERE DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE REAR CYLINDER NEXT TO THE GEAR BOX CONTAINED A BURNT PISTON. A HOLE WAS BEGINNING TO BURN THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE PISTON HEAD. ALSO, MOLTEN ALUMINIUM WAS FOUND SPRAYED ONTO THE CYLINDER WALLS. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE DISTRIBUTOR, THIS WAS INDICATIVE OF DETONATION CAUSED BY IMPROPER GRADE/OCTANE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3153Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SADLER VAMPIRE
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 41
- Engines: ROTAX 503 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William G. Sadler
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 26, 1987, 41 hours before
- Departed: FF2, MESA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,100 total, 39 in this make and model, 39 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °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 19871111063579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871111063579A), Nov 11, 1987: Amtrvp VAMPIRE, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine failure on climbout. Emergency landing on a dirt road. Impacted a ditch. Rear cylinder had failed.

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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