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NTSB Report
November 11, 1987 · Sadler Vampire · N3153Y
Mesa, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 11, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Mesa, AZ
Aircraft
Sadler Vampire
Tail Number
N3153Y
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX88DUJ02
DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, WHILE CLIMBING TO ALTITUDE, THE ENGINE QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A DIRT ROAD WHERE DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE REAR CYLINDER NEXT TO THE GEAR BOX CONTAINED A BURNT PISTON. A HOLE WAS BEGINNING TO BURN THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE PISTON HEAD. ALSO, MOLTEN ALUMINIUM WAS FOUND SPRAYED ONTO THE CYLINDER WALLS. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE DISTRIBUTOR, THIS WAS INDICATIVE OF DETONATION CAUSED BY IMPROPER GRADE/OCTANE FUEL.
Full Narrative
DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, WHILE CLIMBING TO ALTITUDE, THE ENGINE QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A DIRT ROAD WHERE DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE REAR CYLINDER NEXT TO THE GEAR BOX CONTAINED A BURNT PISTON. A HOLE WAS BEGINNING TO BURN THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE PISTON HEAD. ALSO, MOLTEN ALUMINIUM WAS FOUND SPRAYED ONTO THE CYLINDER WALLS. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE DISTRIBUTOR, THIS WAS INDICATIVE OF DETONATION CAUSED BY IMPROPER GRADE/OCTANE FUEL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSadler Vampire
Tail NumberN3153Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 50
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:30
Weather SourcePILO