# NTSB SEA90LA152: Boson Starduster TOO, N18YB, Pinedale, WY, August 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1990, 09:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Pinedale, WY
- Coordinates: 42.860752, -109.859992 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8608&lon=-109.8600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41254
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41254/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA152

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IGNITION COIL, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING. FAILURE OF THE IGNITION COIL RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN WAS A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - ignition system,ignition coil - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 800 FT AGL, 10 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A MARSH AND NOSED OVER. POST ACCIDENT TESTS OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A FAILED IGNITION COIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N18YB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOSON STARDUSTER TOO (STARDUSTER)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 132
- Engines: FORD JAVELIN V-6 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert E. Norris
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1989, 132 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 27,101 total, 52 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAC, 63 nm away

## 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 19900801029469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900801029469A), Aug 1, 1990: Amtrso STARDUSTER2, Pinedale, WY, Substantial damage. Engine quit in cruise flight, nosed over on forced landing. Ignition coil was inoperative on the ford V6 engine.

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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