# NTSB SEA90LA117: Dickey E-RACER, N131RD, Jackpot, NV, July 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1990, 10:32 local (17:32 UTC)
- Place: Jackpot, NV
- Coordinates: 41.880836, -114.780349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8808&lon=-114.7803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41225
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41225/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA117

## 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.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire/explosion, maneuvering
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - undetermined (cause)
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - overtemperature
  - fuselage - fire (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal brake system - failure,total
- Gear collapsed, landing

## Analysis

DURING AN AIR RACE, THE PILOT OF AN AMATEUR-BUILT E-RACER DETECTED AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE & MADE A FORCED LANDING.  DURING THE ROLL-OUT, THE AIRCRAFT'S BRAKES FAILED DUE TO FIRE DAMAGE & THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.  AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT FIBERGLASS STRUCTURE AT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD BEEN IGNITED BY HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

## 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: 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: 135
- Engines: BUICK V-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: K. Shirlan Dickey
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 26, 1989, 43 hours before
- Departed: 06U
- Destination: 064
- Airport: 06U, Jackpot, runway 34, 5,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,559 total, 135 in this make and model, 1,559 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900701023019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900701023019A), Jul 1, 1990: Amtrru ERACER, Jackpot, NV, Substantial damage. Engine fire during air race. Brakes failed. Hot exhaust on fiber glass structure ignited.

## 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 MKC88LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA142), Jul 29, 1988: Shirlan Dickey E-RACER (N131RD), Dubuque, IA, 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.

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