N180RR – RUDOLPH RALPH MONROE STARLITE – 2009-03-02 NTSB Accident Report

On March 02, 2009, a Rudolph Ralph Monroe STARLITE (N180RR) was involved in an incident near Coachella, CA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: A total loss of engine power due to oil starvation to the rear crankshaft journal.

During a local personal flight the engine lost power without warning. The pilot looked for a field to land in, but overshot the field and impacted desert terrain. During the crash sequence, the aircraft sustained substantial damage to both of the wings, the landing gear, and the firewall.

The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge examined the engine and found the rear connecting rod at the crankshaft journal was separated and exhibited severe heat distress signatures consistent with lubrication depravation. The respective crankshaft journal displayed a dark black/blue coloration consistent with heat distress. The forward crankshaft journal and connecting rod remained undamaged.

This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR09CA137. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N180RR.