# NTSB LAX95LA212: Tupta-Smith Miniplane DSA-1, N8510, Pacoima, CA, June 18, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1995, 17:07 local (Jun 18, 1995, 00:07 UTC)
- Place: Pacoima, CA
- Coordinates: 34.249198, -118.409996 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2492&lon=-118.4100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29118
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA212
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29118/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA212

## Probable cause

fuel contamination.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - residential area
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

IN A STATEMENT TO FAA INSPECTORS, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN A DRY WASH AREA AND COLLIDED WITH OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE WASH. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE EITHER FUEL LINE BLOCKAGE OR FUEL CONTAMINATION. INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO RECORD OF AVIATION FUEL PURCHASE FOR THE AIRCRAFT'S REGISTRATION NUMBER FROM ANY AIRPORT IN THE VICINITY OF ITS BASE OR FROM THE DEPARTURE AREA.

## Factual narrative

On June 17, 1995, at 1707 hours Pacific daylight time, a homebuilt experimental Tupta-Smith Miniplane DSA-1, N8510, collided with obstacles in a dry wash while attempting a forced landing at Pacoima, California.  The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power while in cruise.  The aircraft was operated by the pilot and was on a personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated at the Camarillo, California, airport on the day of the accident at 1645 as a cross-country flight to Pacoima.

In an initial telephone statement to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, the pilot reported that he was in cruise flight when the engine suddenly lost power.  He was attempting to land in a dry wash area in the city of Pacoima and collided with obstructions in the wash.  The pilot said he thought the problem might be either fuel line blockage or fuel contamination.

All airports within a 30-mile radius of the airplane's base airport were contacted for records of aviation fuel purchases for the aircraft's registration number.  No records were found.

Numerous subsequent attempts by FAA Inspectors and the National Transportation Safety Board to contact the pilot by phone and mail were unsuccessful.  The pilot removed the aircraft from the accident site and it's whereabouts are unknown.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8510](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8510-2018-04-18), registration cancelled 2018-04-18, S/N T232748, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TUPTA-SMITH MINIPLANE DSA-1
- Registry model: [Joseph A Tupta-Smith Miniplane DSA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/joseph-a-tupta-smith-miniplane-dsa-1) (registry code 835017U) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: T232748
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frank A. Senteio
- Registered owner: Edward Norris
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1994
- Departed: CMA, CAMARILLO, CA
- Destination: WHP

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WHP, 4 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 19950617036189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950617036189A), Jun 17, 1995: Amtrsm DSA1, Pacoima, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power. Crash landed in dry wash. Pilot beleived fuel line blockage or fuel contamination. Unable to verify.

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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