# NTSB MIA00LA242: Ryan ST3KR, N54403, St. Lucie, FL, August 19, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 2000, 10:58 local (14:58 UTC) - Place: St. Lucie, FL - Coordinates: 27.190967, -80.190742 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1910&lon=-80.1907&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50035 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA242 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50035/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA242 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper judgment to conduct a precautionary landing when he first experienced a partial loss of engine power, and his subsequent failure to maintain a visual lookout during a forced landing resulting in an in-flight collision with a tree. Contributing to the accident was a reported partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - tree(s) - judgment - improper, pilot in command (cause) - precautionary landing - not performed, pilot in command - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Occurrence ## Analysis The pilot stated he was in cruise flight at 1,000 feet when he experienced a decrease in engine rpm. He applied carburetor heat and the rpm increased. About 5 minutes later, the engine experienced another decrease in engine rpm. He made a forced landing to a highway and collided with a tree. Examination of the engine assembly could not determine the reported partial loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 2000, at about 1058 eastern daylight time, a Ryan ST3KR, N54403, registered to GVS Corporation, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight crashed during a forced landing in the vicinity of St. Lucie, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airline transport rated pilot-in-command (PIC), and commercial pilot-rated passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from Fort Pierce, Florida, about 28 minutes before the accident. The PIC stated they were in cruise flight at 1,000 feet when he experienced a partial loss in engine power (rpm decreased to 1,000 rpm). He immediately turned on the carburetor heat, the rpm increased, and he continued with the flight. About 5 minutes later, he experienced a second partial loss of engine power and elected to make a forced landing to a highway. On final approach he observed power lines and cleared them. On touchdown the right wing collided with a tree at about mid wing. The airplane rotated to the right and turned over inverted. The pilot stated in the NTSB pilot/Operator aircraft Report that after lining up with the road he observed numerous automobiles facing him. He applied right rudder to avoid traffic when the right wing collided with a pine tree and a sable palm tree. The airplane yawed to the right followed by the left wing impacting another tree. The fuselage rolled over up against a tree inverted. Examination of the engine assembly could not determine the source of the reported loss of engine rpm. Fuel was present in the fuel tank, and the fuel tank vent was clear and the fuel cap was properly vented. No fuel was present in the gascolator, and the drain valve was found in the off position. The fuel selector valve was found in the reserve position and functioned normally when activated. The fuel strainer contained about 6 ounces of fuel and did not appear to be water contaminated. The fuel inlet screen on the carburetor was clean and the carburetor float bowl did not contain fuel. Compression and valve train continuity of the engine was established on all cylinders, and the impulse coupling equipped magneto supplied spark to all cylinders at the forward spark plugs. The aft row of spark plugs could not be checked due to the limited rotational speed provided by hand cranking. (For additional information see FAA Aviation Safety Inspector statement, an attachment to this report.) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54403](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54403-2003-04-14), registration cancelled 2003-04-14, S/N 1387, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ryan ST3KR - Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1387 - Airframe hours: 4120 - Engines: Kinner R-56 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary V. Snodgrass - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1999, 184 hours before - Departed: FPR, FORT PIERCE, FL - Destination: SUA, STUART, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 29,600 total, 150 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SUA, 5 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 20000819013439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000819013439A), Aug 19, 2000: Ryan ST3KR, Stlucie, FL, Substantial damage. (-23- On VFR flight from st lucie airport, ft pierce, FL to stuart, FL. A/c lost power. Pilot then applied carb heat. The engine regained partial power… ## Other investigations on N54403 (2) 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. - [NTSB CHI89FA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA154), Jul 31, 1989: Ryan PT-22 (N54403), Oshkosh, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION'S (EAA'S) INADEQUATE PROCEDURE FOR PROVIDING CONTROL AND SEPARATION OF AIRCRAFT, ITS INADEQUATE SURVEILLANCE OF THE OPERATION, AND INADEQUATE COORDINATION BY… - [NTSB CHI70D0068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70D0068), Jul 6, 1969: Ryan ST-3KR (N54403), Bowling Green, KY, substantial damage 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.