# NTSB LAX88DUJ04: Starr Bumble BEE II, N89WS, Marana, AZ, May 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1988, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Marana, AZ
- Location: 32.5098° N, 111.3253° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PINAL AIRPARK (MZJ), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5098&lon=-111.3253&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DUJ04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DUJ04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,overhaul,major - performed, pilot in command
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON ITS FIRST FLIGHT SINCE BEING CERTIFIED. THE PILOT HAD OVERHAULED THE ENGINE 2.5 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. DURING THE CLIMB THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE THEN THE GROUND. THE PILOT SAID HE COULD NOT REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89WS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89WS-1991-04-02), registration cancelled 1991-04-02, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STARR BUMBLE BEE II (BUMBLE BEE)
- Registry model: [Starr Robert H BUMBLE BEE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/starr-robert-h-bumble-bee-ii) (registry code 05612PT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Engines: unknown II reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert H. Starr
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: MZJ, Marana, runway 30, 6,860 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 15,000 total, 7 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 30 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 19880508013179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880508013179A), May 8, 1988: Amtrar BUMBLEBEE2, Marana, AZ, Destroyed. Engine failure on climbout. Forced landing. Hit a utility pole on approach to a road. Flipped over on its back.

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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