# NTSB LAX99LA257: Ewertz Starduster II, N102E, Winslow, AZ, July 24, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 24, 1999, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Winslow, AZ - Coordinates: 35.100585, -110.639251 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1006&lon=-110.6393&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46944 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA257 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46944/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA257 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to attain and maintain a sufficient flying airspeed for the existing density altitude conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - high density altitude - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - wire,transmission - evasive maneuver - attempted, pilot in command - object - tree(s) ## Analysis In the takeoff initial climb the pilot noticed that the controls were becoming sluggish, and the aircraft was no longer climbing and had entered a descent. He verified that he had applied full throttle. As the aircraft continued to descend, the pilot attempted to avoid the obstacles in his flight path. He began a shallow turn but because of his continued descent, he was unable to clear the utility lines ahead. He chose instead to sacrifice altitude and continue in the turn. As he approached a road that ran parallel to the utility lines, the aircraft's wing struck a tree. After the impact the aircraft became uncontrollable, descending through the remaining altitude until it collided with terrain next to the roadway. The density altitude was computed to be 7,407 feet. The pilot said that there were no mechanical malfunctions with either the engine or airframe. ## Factual narrative On July 24, 1999, at 0915 hours mountain standard time an amateur-built experimental Starduster II, N102E, collided with a tree during the takeoff initial climb from the Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport, Winslow, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; however, the certificated commercial pilot and his pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight was originating at the time as a personal cross-country flight to Moriarity, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he lifted off from runway 04 at between 65 and 70 mph after a 4,000-foot takeoff roll. He made his initial climb at 71 to 75 mph until the aircraft reached approximately 250 feet agl. As the flight progressed to a point about 0.25 miles from the departure end of the runway, the pilot noticed that the controls were becoming sluggish and the aircraft was no longer climbing and had begun a descent. He verified that he had full throttle, noting that the engine tachometer was indicating about 2,450 rpm. As the aircraft descended, the pilot's attention was now drawn to obstacles in his flight path. He began a shallow, 5- to 10-degree banked, turn to the right, while maintaining about 68 to 71 mph. Estimating that with his continued descent he would be unable to clear the utility lines that lay immediately ahead, the pilot chose instead to sacrifice about 50 feet of altitude while continuing in the turn. As he approached a paved road that ran parallel to the utility lines, the aircraft's right wing struck a tree. After the impact the aircraft became uncontrollable, descending through the remaining 20 to 25 feet of altitude until colliding with terrain next to the roadway. The airport is located at an elevation of 4,941 feet msl. The reported temperature and winds at the time of the accident were 81 degrees Fahrenheit and 060 degrees at 7 knots. Density altitude was computed by Safety Board investigators to be 7,407 feet. The maximum allowable takeoff weight was 1,985 pounds. The actual takeoff weight was estimated by Safety Board investigators to be approximately 1,620 pounds. Power was supplied to the aircraft by a normally aspirated 150 horsepower (hp) engine with a fixed pitch propeller. The engine manufacturer stated that the engine was capable of producing 118 hp at full throttle under the density altitude conditions existing at the time of takeoff. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the engine or airframe. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N102E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N102E-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N 100, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ewertz STARDUSTER II (STARDUSTER) - Registry model: [Ewertz William/Ewertz Janet STARDUSTER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/ewertz-william-ewertz-janet-starduster-ii) (registry code 05624W8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 100 - Airframe hours: 98 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gregory Scot Lamb - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 1999, 8 hours before - Departed: INW - Destination: 0E0, MORIARITY, NM - Airport: INW, Winslow-Lindberg Regional, runway 4, 7,499 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,800 total, 3,200 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: INW ## 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 19990724009479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990724009479A), Jul 24, 1999: Amtr STARDUSTER2, Winslow, AZ, Substantial damage. (Tty) acft took off inw rwy 4, started losing power and altitude, turned to avoid obstacles, hit a tree and impacted ground. (.19) on July 24, 1999, at 0915… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.