# NTSB LAX90DUG07: Spark/Acroduster SA/750, N10WS, Redlands, CA, June 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1990, 11:54 local (19:54 UTC)
- Place: Redlands, CA
- Coordinates: 34.000278, -117.120536 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0003&lon=-117.1205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26536
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DUG07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26536/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUG07

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A SPEED ABOVE A STALL AFTER EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S MISCALCULATION OF THE FUEL SUPPLY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED WITH FUEL TANKS HALF FULL FOR SOME ACROBATIC WORK. THE AIRCRAFT WAS AIRBORNE FOR OVER AN HOUR AND 20 MINUTES WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AFTER A TOUCH AND GO LANDING AND A STEEP CLIMBOUT. ACCORDING TO THE SECOND PILOT ON BOARD THE PILOT STALLED THE AIRCRAFT IN AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES ON THE GROUND HEARD THE SPUTTER FROM THE ENGINE AND OBSERVED A TIGHT TURN BACK TO THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PRESENCE OF FUEL IN THE TANKS OR FUEL LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10WS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10WS-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N 001S, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SPARK/ACRODUSTER SA/750
- Registry model: [Spark Wallace R ACRODUSTER SA750](https://openairdocs.org/model/spark-wallace-r-acroduster-sa750) (registry code 8660524) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0015
- Airframe hours: 176
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brian A Donnelly
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 1990, 38 hours before
- Airport: L12, Redlands, runway 26, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19900625022229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900625022229A), Jun 25, 1990: Amtrso ACRODUSTER1, Redlands, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel during steep low altitude pullup tried to make airport in a steep turn stalled recovered too late.

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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