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March 19, 1985 · Stracener Experimental SX · N2297

Fremont, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 19, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Fremont, CA
Aircraft
Stracener Experimental SX
Tail Number
N2297
Operator
James M Allen
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85FA179

THE ACFT WAS BEING LEASED TO THE ATR PLT BY THE REGISTERED OWNER. THIS WAS THE PLT'S FIRST FLT IN THE ACFT. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARBURETOR ICING. JUST PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE OWNER ADVISED THE PLT THAT THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A LOW PRESSURE CARBURETOR WHICH WAS VERY SUSEPTIBLE TO ICING. THE PLT REPORTED HE HAD A ROUGH RUNNING ENG, DECLARED AN EMERG, & SAID HE WAS RETURNING TO THE ARPT. SUBSEQUENTLY HE REPORTED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PUT IT IN SHORT. WITNESSES SAID THE ENG WAS SPUTTERING, POPPING, & CUTTING OUT JUST BEFORE IT QUIT. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A LEFT BANK, LOST ALT, CRASHED & BURNED. FINAL DESCENT ANGLE WAS AT LEAST 60 DEGREES. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE ENG, OR ANY OF ITS COMPONENTS, DURING ENG DISADSEMBLY.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT WAS BEING LEASED TO THE ATR PLT BY THE REGISTERED OWNER. THIS WAS THE PLT'S FIRST FLT IN THE ACFT. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARBURETOR ICING. JUST PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE OWNER ADVISED THE PLT THAT THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A LOW PRESSURE CARBURETOR WHICH WAS VERY SUSEPTIBLE TO ICING. THE PLT REPORTED HE HAD A ROUGH RUNNING ENG, DECLARED AN EMERG, & SAID HE WAS RETURNING TO THE ARPT. SUBSEQUENTLY HE REPORTED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PUT IT IN SHORT. WITNESSES SAID THE ENG WAS SPUTTERING, POPPING, & CUTTING OUT JUST BEFORE IT QUIT. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A LEFT BANK, LOST ALT, CRASHED & BURNED. FINAL DESCENT ANGLE WAS AT LEAST 60 DEGREES. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE ENG, OR ANY OF ITS COMPONENTS, DURING ENG DISADSEMBLY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:24 PST
Nearest AirportFREMONT (5nm S)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftStracener Experimental SX
Tail NumberN2297
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJames M Allen
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 11 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data