# NTSB NYC88DHA03: Debarry/Starduster SA100, N22GT, Slatington, PA, August 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1988, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Slatington, PA
- Coordinates: 40.750297, -75.610977 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7503&lon=-75.6110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35976
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88DHA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35976/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88DHA03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE HOMEBUILT ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 300 FT AGL DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENG (ONCE), BUT AS HE TURNED THE ACFT BACK TOWARD THE ARPT, THE ENG LOST POWER AGAIN. DURING AN EMERG LANDING, THE ACFT STRUCK TREES IN A WOODED AREA ABOUT 1/4 MI FROM THE ARPT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND.  THE PLT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THE ACFT & WAS USING FUEL FROM THE WING TANKS FOR THE 1ST TIME WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER. HE REPORTED THAT THE WING TANKS WERE FULL OF AUTO FUEL, WHICH THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD USED. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD NOT FLOWN THE ACFT FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. IMPACT DAMAGE COMPROMISED THE FUEL SYSTEM, PRECLUDING ANY ASSESSMENT OF THE FUEL CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22GT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22GT-2011-07-11), registration cancelled 2011-07-11, S/N GTG2, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEBARRY/STARDUSTER SA100
- Registry model: [Deberry STARDUSTER SA100](https://openairdocs.org/model/deberry-starduster-sa100) (registry code 86601AP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: GT2
- Airframe hours: 35
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-G4 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James R. Shea
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 25, 1987, 35 hours before
- Departed: 69N, SLATINGTON, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 11,000 total, 3 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880821034219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880821034219A), Aug 21, 1988: Amtrso STARDUSTR100, Slatington, PA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff after switching tanks to mains. Crashed in trees. Stale auto fuel unknown by pilot in mains.

## Other investigations on N22GT (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 NYC76AHD20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76AHD20), Mar 27, 1976: Starduster SA-100 (N22GT), Hammonton, NJ, 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.