Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE SEIZURE OF THE NO. 2 CYLINDER AS A RESULT OF AN INADEQUATE COOLING SYSTEM FOR THE HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 31, 1994, at 1400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Starman Teerra-II experimental homebuilt ultralight airplane, N43111, owned and operated by the pilot, collided with terrain as a result of a total loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The accident site is across from the Bradley Sky Ranch Airport on the south side of the Tanana River. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the ultralight was substantially damaged. The local VFR pleasure flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed the Bradley Skyranch Airport at about 1330. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was on file.
The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, while in cruise flight at 200 ft. above the ground, the engine quit without warning. He performed an emergency landing by stalling the airplane just above a lightly wooded area and letting it settle into the trees.
A post accident examination of the engine by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that the No. 2 engine cylinder had overheated and seized up.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC94LA095