RUDOLPH RALPH MONROE STARLITE
Coachella, CA — March 2, 2009
Event Information
| Date | March 2, 2009 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR09CA137 |
| Event ID | 20090302X91941 |
| Location | Coachella, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 33.70000, -116.16389 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | RUDOLPH RALPH MONROE |
| Model | STARLITE |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
A total loss of engine power due to oil starvation to the rear crankshaft journal.
Full Narrative
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.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.