# NTSB MKC88LA142: Shirlan Dickey E-RACER, N131RD, Dubuque, IA, July 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1988, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Dubuque, IA
- Coordinates: 42.500053, -90.689498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5001&lon=-90.6895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34617
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34617/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA142

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine instruments,tachometer - shorted (cause)
  - ignition system - shorted (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

AT A FUEL STOP IN DUBUQUE, IA THE PIC PURCHASED FUEL FOR THE FINAL LEG OF HIS FLT TO OSHKOSH. AFTER A PRE-FLT CHK AND SUBSEQUENT ENG RUNUP, THE PIC TOOK THE ACTIVE RWY AND COMMENCED A TAKEOFF ROLL. THE LIFT OFF AND INITIAL CLIMB WENT WITHOUT DIFFICULTY UNTIL THE ACFT ATTAINED 200 FT ALTITUDE. THE PIC STATED THAT THE ENG QUIT SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. WITH NO CLEAR SPOT AHEAD TO MAKE THE FORCED LANDING, THE PIC TURNED 180 DEGREES IN AN ATTEMPT TO LAND BACK ON THE RWY. DURING THE DESCENT THE PIC ATTEMPTED A RESTART WHICH FAILED. UNABLE TO REACH THE RWY THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN IN A GRASSY AREA ADJACENT TO THE RWY. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED, FOLLOWED BY TOTAL GEAR COLLAPSE. THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP. SUBSEQUENT INSP OF THE ACFT REVEALED A SHORTED IGNITION SYSTEM, ORIGINATING IN A ELECTRIC TACH. IN HIS ACCIDENT RPT THE PIC STATED THAT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REDUNDANCY WAS NOW A HIGH PRIORITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N131RD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N131RD-2022-03-14), registration cancelled 2022-03-14, S/N ER-1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SHIRLAN DICKEY E-RACER
- Registry model: [Dickey K Shirlan E-RACER](https://openairdocs.org/model/dickey-k-shirlan-e-racer) (registry code 0569084) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: ER-1
- Airframe hours: 91
- Engines: Buick V-8 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Shirlan Dickey
- Registered owner: K Shirlan Dickey
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1988, 20 hours before
- Departed: DUBUQUE, IA
- Destination: OSHKOSH, WI
- Airport: DBQ, Dubuque, runway 31, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,371 total, 91 in this make and model, 1,371 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 11 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DBQ

## 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 19880729028359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880729028359A), Jul 29, 1988: Amtrru ERACER, Dubuque, IA, Substantial damage. Engine quit shortly after takeoff. Crash landed near runway. Faulty designed ignition system shorted. Tach faulty.

## Other investigations on N131RD (1)

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 SEA90LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA117), Jul 1, 1990: Dickey E-RACER (N131RD), Jackpot, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: AN UNDETERMINED FAILURE OR ANOMALY OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE OF THE FIBERGLASS STRUCTURE OF THE AIRCRAFT AND FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT BRAKING SYSTEM.

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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