# NTSB NYC83FA171: Stinson 108, N90DD, Farmingdale, NY, July 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1983, 16:58 local (20:58 UTC)
- Place: Farmingdale, NY
- Coordinates: 40.72903, -73.439476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7290&lon=-73.4395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35059
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35059/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA171

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, standing - starting engine(s)
  - fuel system,line - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - fuel system,line - fire (cause)
- Explosion, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - fuel system,tank - exploded (cause)

## Analysis

THE CARBURETOR HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMOVED & REWORKED, THEN WAS REINSTALLED. AFTER THE INSTALLATION, WHICH INCLUDED A LEAK CHECK, THE PLT GOT INTO THE LEFT FRONT SEAT & THE PASSENGER/MECHANIC GOT INTO THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE PLT PRIMED THE ENG, THEN MADE A START. AFTER STARTING, THE ENG RAN FOR APRX 20 SECONDS, THEN STOPPED. THE OCCUPANTS DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM & DECIDED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS PROBABLY 'AIR BOUND.' A DECISION WAS MADE TO KEEP THE ENG RUNNING BY USING THE PRIMER. AFTER RESTARTING, THE ENG CONTINUED TO RUN, BY USE OF THE PRIMER, FOR 30 TO 40 SEC, THEN THE PLT OBSERVED A FIRE IN THE LOWER RIGHT CORNER OF THE COCKPIT. THE OCCUPANTS EVACUATED THE BURNING PLANE, BUT THE PLT FELL & THE PASSENGER RETURNED TO HELP. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE RIGHT WING TANK EXPLODED & BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE BURNED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE MAIN FUEL LINE FROM THE GASCOLATOR TO THE CARBURETOR HAD BROKEN. THE PLT DIED TWO DAYS LATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90DD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4718
- Airframe hours: 62088
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-150-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph S. Hydrusko
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: FRG, Republic

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FRG

## 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 19830711073769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830711073769A), Jul 11, 1983: Univar 108, Farmingdale, NY, Destroyed. Fire started during engine start after carburetor maintenance. Fuel line between gascolator and carburetor broke.

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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