# NTSB NYC94LA158: Stulp Starduster SA 300, N2091, Ottawa, OH, August 7, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 1994, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Ottawa, OH - Coordinates: 41.019824, -84.039718 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0198&lon=-84.0397&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38818 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38818/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA158 ## Probable cause inadequate maintenance which resulted in a corroded gascolator fuel screen restriction fuel flow and resulted in fuel starvation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel system,screen - corroded (contributing factor) - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, owner/pilot mechanic (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis THE PILOT CLIMBED TO 1500 FEET AFTER TAKEOFF, WHEN HE NOTICED THE FUEL PRESSURE DECREASE. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE DID NOT LOSE TOTAL POWER, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH POWER TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING INTO A CORN FIELD. THE FAA INSPECTED THE AIRCRAFT, FINDING THE GASCOLATOR FUEL SCREEN WAS RUST COVERED AND THE FUEL DOWNSTREAM OF THE GASCOLATOR WAS 'CLOUDY AND FLOW WAS RESTRICTED'. ## Factual narrative On August 7, 1994 about 1430 eastern daylight time, N2091, a Stulp, Starduster Too SA300 experimental airplane, lost engine power, and initiated a forced landing in Ottawa, Ohio. Visual meteorological conditions existed. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The departure point was Putnum County Airport in Ottawa. The local flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the FAA, the pilot was at 1000 feet AGL when he noticed the fuel pressure began to decrease and the engine began to lose power. Although the engine did not lose total power, there was not enough power to maintain flight. The pilot stated "Lost fuel pressure then RPM's, set up for an emergency landing. I headed into the wind west to land. I saw what looked like a good place to set down but I was dropping to fast in over a river. I was worried about power lines, I had a little power in the engine, so I picked a second (landing) spot. (The aircraft) started losing power, and air speed so had to take the cornfield before the airplane would stall out." The aircraft came to rest nosedown in a cornfield. The FAA examined the airplane and revealed the gascolator fuel screen was rust corroded and the fuel downstream of the gascolator was "cloudy" and the flow was restricted. According to the pilot the accident could have been prevented by not using fuel from a dirty, unfiltered personal fuel tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2091](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2091-2018-01-16), registration cancelled 2018-01-16, S/N 19-1, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STULP STARDUSTER SA 300 (STARDUSTER) - Registry model: [Starduster SA-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/starduster-sa-300) (registry code 86601MP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 19-1 - Airframe hours: 1246 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Randy Lee Moore - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 1994, 1,246 hours before - Departed: OWX, OTTAWA, OH - Destination: CHARLO, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 725 total, 300 in this make and model, 680 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TOL ## 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 19940807020329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940807020329A), Aug 7, 1994: Amtr SA300, Ottawa, OH, Substantial damage. Fuel pressure decreased. Lost part power. Mushed into cornfield. Nosed down rusty fuel screen. Dirty fuel can used. 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.