# NTSB SEA93LA156: Stark Rand KR-2, N2AL, Townsend, MT, July 18, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1993, 18:33 local (Jul 18, 1993, 00:33 UTC)
- Place: Townsend, MT
- Coordinates: 46.48069, -111.339553 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4807&lon=-111.3396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41733
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41733/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA156

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IMPROPERLY MODIFIED MAGNETO AND LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT BY THE PIC WHILE MANEUVERING TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT A LOW ALTITUDE DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE PILOT INITIATED AN EMERGENCY TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT.  THE ACFT STALLED DURING THE TURN AND DESCENDED NOSE DOWN INTO THE GROUND.  AN IMPROPER TYPE COIL, MODIFIED TO FIT, WAS INSTALLED IN THE ENGINE MAGNETO.

## Factual narrative

On Sunday evening, July 17, 1993, at 1833 mountain daylight time, a Stark Rand KR-2, N2AL, registered to the pilot, impacted the ground eight miles north of Townsend, Montana, in an uncontrolled descent.  There was no flight plan filed for the local personal flight, conducted under 14 CFR 91 in visual meteorological conditions, that had just taken off from the Canyon Ferry Airstrip.  The private certificated pilot was fatally injured in the accident.  The aircraft was destroyed in the mishap.  There was no fire.      Witnesses reported the aircraft entered a steep turn back toward the airstrip at a low altitude after takeoff.  The aircraft nose dropped during the turn and the aircraft descended in a nose down attitude until it impacted the ground.  The FAA inspector who examined the wreckage reported the pilot had been having problems with the aircraft engine during the week before the accident and that evidence indicated the engine was not operating at the time impact.  He said an improper coil was installed on the engine magneto in the wreckage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2AL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2AL-1995-12-28), registration cancelled 1995-12-28, S/N 1023 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STARK RAND KR-2
- Registry model: [Starke RAND KR-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/starke-rand-kr-2) (registry code 05648M5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1023
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 2100 CC 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Phillips, Roger A.
- Registered owner: Phillips, Roger A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: 8U9, Canyon Ferry Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,350 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HLN, 21 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 19930717024159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930717024159A), Jul 17, 1993: Amtr KR2, Townsend, MT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled and crashed trying to return after takeoff. Impacted nose down. Improper ignitioin coil caused power loss.

## Other investigations on N2AL (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 DEN82DTI14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DTI14), Jun 6, 1982: Starke KR-2 (N2AL), Wolf Creek, MT, 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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