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NTSB Report
October 22, 1983 · Deley Starduster SA-100 · N717MD
Wrightwood, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 22, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Wrightwood, CA
Aircraft
Deley Starduster SA-100
Tail Number
N717MD
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX84FA025
THE ACFT CRASHED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN IN VMC WEATHER. THERE IS NO RECORD OF RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE ACFT ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT IMPACTED A 30 DEGREE UPSLOPE IN A 25 DEGREE NOSE DOWN WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. TWO WITNESSES SAID THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING IN A SOUTHEASTERLY DIRECTION. THEY SAID THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND CUT OUT AND THE ACFT BEGAN A LEFT TURN AS IF TO REVERSE COURSE. THE MOUNTAINS APPEARED HIGHER THAN THE ACFT AT THIS TIME. THE WITNESSES SAID THEY DID NOT SEE THE ACTUAL GROUND IMPACT BUT SAW DIRT FLY UP IN THE AIR. THEY RAN TO THE AREA AND FOUND THE WRECKAGE. THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL LINE WERE BROKEN BUT A COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY REPORTED SEEING AND SMELLING FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CRASHED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN IN VMC WEATHER. THERE IS NO RECORD OF RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE ACFT ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT IMPACTED A 30 DEGREE UPSLOPE IN A 25 DEGREE NOSE DOWN WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. TWO WITNESSES SAID THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING IN A SOUTHEASTERLY DIRECTION. THEY SAID THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND CUT OUT AND THE ACFT BEGAN A LEFT TURN AS IF TO REVERSE COURSE. THE MOUNTAINS APPEARED HIGHER THAN THE ACFT AT THIS TIME. THE WITNESSES SAID THEY DID NOT SEE THE ACTUAL GROUND IMPACT BUT SAW DIRT FLY UP IN THE AIR. THEY RAN TO THE AREA AND FOUND THE WRECKAGE. THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL LINE WERE BROKEN BUT A COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY REPORTED SEEING AND SMELLING FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftDeley Starduster SA-100
Tail NumberN717MD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-G · Reciprocating
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC