# NTSB WPR09CA137: Rudolph Ralph Monroe Starlite, N180RR, Coachella, CA, March 2, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 2, 2009, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Coachella, CA - Coordinates: 33.7, -116.163887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7000&lon=-116.1639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73419 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA137 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73419/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA137 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to oil starvation to the rear crankshaft journal. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Eng oil sys (airframe furnish)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057900): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Rudolph Ralph Monroe STARLITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057900/cases.md?model=05612BU), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057900/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng oil sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Rudolph Ralph Monroe STARLITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md?model=05612BU), [All aircraft, 130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Rudolph Ralph Monroe STARLITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=05612BU), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Rudolph Ralph Monroe STARLITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05612BU), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Rudolph Ralph Monroe STARLITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05612BU), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a local personal flight, the engine of the amateur-built airplane lost power without warning. The pilot looked for a field to land in, but overshot the field and impacted desert terrain. During the crash sequence, the aircraft sustained substantial damage to both of the wings, the landing gear, and the firewall. Examination of the engine found that the rear connecting rod at the crankshaft journal was separated and exhibited severe heat distress signatures consistent with oil starvation to the bearing. The respective crankshaft journal displayed a dark black/blue coloration consistent with heat distress. The forward crankshaft journal and connecting rod remained undamaged. ## Factual narrative During a local personal flight the engine lost power without warning. The pilot looked for a field to land in, but overshot the field and impacted desert terrain. During the crash sequence, the aircraft sustained substantial damage to both of the wings, the landing gear, and the firewall. The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge examined the engine and found the rear connecting rod at the crankshaft journal was separated and exhibited severe heat distress signatures consistent with lubrication depravation. The respective crankshaft journal displayed a dark black/blue coloration consistent with heat distress. The forward crankshaft journal and connecting rod remained undamaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N180RR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N180RR-2017-02-28), registration cancelled 2017-02-28, S/N 180, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RUDOLPH RALPH MONROE STARLITE - Registry model: [Rudolph Ralph Monroe STARLITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/rudolph-ralph-monroe-starlite) (registry code 05612BU) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 180 - Airframe hours: 70 - Engines: BOMBARDIER ROTAX 447 40 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 5, 2008, 10 hours before - Departed: TRM, Thermal, CA - Destination: UDD, Bermuda Dunes, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 2, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 2,500 total, 50 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TRM, 4 nm away 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.