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September 17, 2012 · Barney Stardustrer SA-100 · N1356Y

Chandler, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 17, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Chandler, AZ
Aircraft
Barney Stardustrer SA-100
Tail Number
N1356Y
Operator
Still Michael J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR12LA423

The pilot reported that he entered the airport traffic pattern and that the engine stopped developing power. He initiated a forced landing to an open area adjacent to the intended runway, which resulted in a hard landing. The pilot estimated that the airplane contained about 6 gallons of fuel at takeoff and that the flight required about 2 gallons of fuel. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that a fuel supply line had failed, which resulted in the loss of about 4 gallons of fuel in flight. This left less than 1 gallon of total fuel remaining, which was less than the usable fuel. It is likely that the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion. The most recent conditional inspection of the airplane, which should have been completed about 12 months before the accident in accordance with the airplane's operating limitations, was actually completed about 16 months before the accident. If a conditional inspection had been completed, it is likely that the fuel line would have shown signs of deterioration that may have been seen during the inspection.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power as a result of fuel exhaustion due to a fuel line failure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to adhere to the maintenance inspection criteria for the airplane.

Full Narrative

On September 17, 2012, about 0954 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur-built Barney Starduster SA-100 airplane, N1356Y, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent hard landing at the Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD), Chandler, Arizona. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to the pilot, and operated as a visual flight rules flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from Casa Grande, Arizona, about 14 minutes before the accident. In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that the engine stopped developing power as he entered the airport traffic pattern at CHD. The pilot initiated a forced landing in an open area adjacent to runway 22L and landed hard. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a representative of the FAA revealed structural damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the Number 4 steel braided fuel line that supplies fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel pressure sending unit, lost "integrity." The pilot estimated that he lost about 3.5 gallons of fuel during the 14-minute flight; the airplane subsequently lost engine power about 3 minutes before landing. The pilot stated that he departed Casa Grande with about 6 gallons of fuel onboard, and estimated that the flight would require about 2 gallons of fuel. The airplane's digital fuel totalizer showed about 4.2 gallons of fuel remaining within the main fuel tank after the accident; however, examination of the fuel tank (not breached) showed less than one gallon of total fuel remaining. The airplane's most recent conditional inspection was completed on May 11, 2011, about 16 months prior to the accident. Review of the operation limitations for the airplane revealed that item 12 states in part "…no person shall operate this aircraft unless within the preceding 12 calendar months it has had a condition inspection performed in accordance with Appendix D of Part 43 and found to be in a condition for safe operation."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:54 MST
Nearest AirportChandler Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway22L
Runway Length4850 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBarney Stardustrer SA-100
Tail NumberN1356Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorStill Michael J
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 180
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 68 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data