# NTSB WPR09LA082: Stits Flut-R-Bug SA6B, N3129, Los Olivos, CA, January 14, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 14, 2009, 14:25 local (22:25 UTC) - Place: Los Olivos, CA - Coordinates: 34.700553, -120.112777 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7006&lon=-120.1128&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73234 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73234/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73234 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA082 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to depart from a road with a known unresolved engine problem. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: expectation/assumption](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041525): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stits Flut-R-Bug SA6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041525/cases.md?model=865043T), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041525/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Stits Flut-R-Bug SA6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=865043T), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Stits Flut-R-Bug SA6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=865043T), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Stits Flut-R-Bug SA6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=865043T), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Stits Flut-R-Bug SA6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=865043T), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Stits Flut-R-Bug SA6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=865043T), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Stits Flut-R-Bug SA6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=865043T), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a local area flight, the experimental airplane's engine began sputtering. The pilot attempted to rectify the situation by changing fuel tanks, applying carburetor heat, and checking the magnetos. His actions were unsuccessful, and all power was lost. The pilot made a forced landing on a public road. Thereafter, the pilot consulted with a mechanic at his home base airport that was located about 7 miles from the forced landing site. The pilot opined that vapor lock was a likely cause for his loss of engine power. In preparation for takeoff from the road, the pilot performed an engine run-up. The engine appeared to operate normally, and the pilot proceeded to takeoff. Seconds after becoming airborne and gaining at most 50 feet of altitude, the engine again started sputtering. The road curved away from the pilot's flight path, and the pilot opted to descend into trees. The airplane was subsequently recovered and was examined under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supervision. The FAA coordinator reported that no external evidence of a preimpact engine malfunction or anomaly was noted. The engine lost power for undetermined reasons. ## Factual narrative On January 14, 2009, about 1425 Pacific standard time, a Stits Flut-R-Bug, SA6B, N3129, experienced a partial loss of engine power during initial climb from a public road about 2 miles north of Los Olivos, California. After being airborne less than 1 minute, the experimental category airplane collided with an oak tree that was adjacent to the road. The airplane was substantially damaged during the emergency descent. The private pilot, who owned and operated the airplane, sustained minor injuries during the personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot indicated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator and Santa Barbara County Sheriff deputies that about 1228 he had departed from the Santa Ynez Airport, about 7 miles southeast of the accident site. The engine "started to sputter" during the flight. The pilot stated that he checked the engine gauges, and they did not indicate anything abnormal. He also switched fuel tanks, applied carburetor heat, and checked the magnetos. None of these actions decreased the sputtering, and finally all engine power was lost. At the time, the airplane was about 2,500 feet mean sea level. The pilot made a forced landing on the Figueroa Mountain Road, elevation about 1,100 feet mean sea level. The pilot stated that he is not a mechanic, but that he spoke with a mechanic at his home base Santa Ynez airport. The pilot opined that following departure from Santa Ynez, the carburetor-equipped airplane engine may have encountered vapor lock. However, he recognized that the power loss may have resulted from other problems. The pilot opted to wait until the engine cooled off, and then he would try to restart the engine. If successful, he would run up the engine and take off from the road. According to the pilot, he had the airplane towed by car to a better location on the road where, in preparation for takeoff, he performed a prolonged engine run-up. The engine appeared to operate normally. The airplane's fuel tank was over 1/2 full, and the pilot took off from the road. Seconds after becoming airborne and climbing between 40 and 50 feet above the ground, the engine started sputtering and nearly quit. Landing on the road was no longer an option because it curved, and the pilot was unable to see ahead for possible vehicular traffic. The pilot stated that he turned his airplane a few degrees right toward an open plowed field. However, he chose not to land there because of the likelihood that the airplane would nose over, thus making egress difficult. The pilot opted to stall the airplane into a nearby tree, which would absorb the impact energy. The airplane came to rest suspended by tree branches about 25 feet above ground level. A responding deputy sheriff reported that the pilot had not received law enforcement permission to depart from the two-lanepublic road. The approximate distance between the pilot's takeoff location and the crash site is 2,700 feet. The airplane was recovered from the accident site and examined under the supervision of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel. The FAA coordinator reported, in part, that no debris was found in the carburetor, which contained fuel. The magnetos produced spark upon rotation. The spark plugs exhibited normal wear signatures, and the engine's compression was satisfactory. No external evidence of a preimpact engine malfunction or anomaly was noted. The FAA coordinator indicated that the engine lost power for undetermined non-mechanical reasons. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3129](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3129-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 99583, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STITS FLUT-R-BUG SA6B - Registry model: [Stits Flut-R-Bug SA6B](https://openairdocs.org/model/stits-flut-r-bug-sa6b) (registry code 865043T) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 99583 - Airframe hours: 1418 - Engines: Teledyne Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 2008, 23 hours before - Departed: Los Olivos, CA - Destination: IZA, Santa Ynez, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review April 8, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 1,237 total, 37 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 355° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point -2 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg ## 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 20090114001259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090114001259A), Jan 14, 2009: Stits SA6B, Los Olivos, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot had landed aircraft on figueroa mountain rd. after claiming to have experienced engine trouble. After conducting a successful engine run-up, he took off… ## Other investigations on N3129 (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 DFW07CA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA033), Dec 2, 2006: Stits Flut-R-Bug SA6B (N3129), Camerson, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper landing flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing which resulted in a hard landing. A factor was the delayed remedial action by the flight instructor. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 29, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73234. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 752 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307335&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Engine Logbook Excerpts (item 2, .PDF, 405 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307336&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Logbook%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF - FAA Report (item 3, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319948&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Report-Master.PDF 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.