# NTSB SEA07LA173: Halsted Flightstar Pioneer, N8003U, Nampa, ID, June 19, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 2007, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Nampa, ID
- Coordinates: 43.496112, -116.407775
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4961&lon=-116.4078&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66026
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66026/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA173

## Probable cause

The failure (fracture) of the crankshaft of the non-certificated two-cycle engine during cruise flight. Factors include a ditch running through the field in which the pilot executed his engine-out forced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fractured (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

While in cruise flight at 3,500 feet above ground level (agl), the engine of the light sport aircraft suddenly quit. The pilot therefore attempted to land the aircraft in a nearby open field. Although the initial touchdown was uneventful, during the landing roll the aircraft encountered a ditch and flipped over onto its back. A post-accident teardown of the 50 horsepower non-certificated two-cycle Hirth engine revealed that the crankshaft had fractured into two pieces.

## Factual narrative

On June 19, 2007, approximately 0930 mountain daylight time, a Halsted Flightstar Pioneer light sport aircraft, N8003U, flipped over during an engine-out emergency landing about 10 miles southeast of Nampa, Idaho. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries, and the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the student pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Nampa, Idaho, about 90 minutes prior to the accident, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed.

According to the pilot, while he was in cruise flight at 3,500 feet above ground level (agl), the engine suddenly quit. He therefore attempted to land the aircraft in a nearby open field. Although the initial touchdown was uneventful, during the landing roll the aircraft encountered a ditch and flipped over onto its back.

The owner's post-accident teardown of the 50 horsepower non-certificated two-cycle Hirth engine revealed that the crankshaft had fractured into two separate pieces.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8003U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8003U), registered now, S/N 519, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Halsted Flightstar Pioneer
- Registry model: [Halsted Gordon N FLIGHTSTAR PIONEER](https://openairdocs.org/model/halsted-gordon-n-flightstar-pioneer) (registry code 05901MV) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 917
- Airframe hours: 752
- Engines: Hirth F23-V28H 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gordon N. Halsted
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, April 1, 2007
- Departed: KS67, Nampa, ID
- Destination: KS67

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 20 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °F

## 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 20070619011699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070619011699A), Jun 19, 2007: Amtr FLIGHTSTAR, Nampa, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) On a local flight from the Nampa airport at app 2130 pilot stated he reduce power from 4600 RPM to 3200 RPM and the engine just stopped running. He then…

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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