Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX84FA025

WRIGHTWOOD, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N717MD

DELEY STARDUSTER SA-100

Analysis

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.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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