NTSB Factual Report

History of Flight On May 8, 1995 about 1115 eastern daylight time, a Staudacher S-600, N600RT, an experimental homebuilt airplane, red thunder airshows inc., 401 East Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60611, and piloted by Janice R. Jones, collided with the terrain after completing a low fly-by and executing a steep climbing left turn at Botsford Airport, Wellington, Ohio, when conducting a positioning flight under 14 CFR, Part 91.

Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight had been filed. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot, the sole occupant was fatally injured. The pilot held a limited commercial pilot certificate; airplane single engine land/private pilot privileges; airplane single sea.

The flight originated at Michigan City, Indiana on May 8, 1996 about 0830 central daylight time.

Synopsis

Mr. John Rux (husband) of Janice R. Jones, stated she departed Michigan City Airport about 0830 and that her destination on May 8, 1995, was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a stop in the Akron-Canton, Ohio area. He further stated that the aircraft was fully fueled on May 07, 1995, and had 44 gallons on board. He said, there must have been something wrong, for Janice had not planned to stop prior to reaching the Akron-Canton area. Mr. Rux further stated, that they had the engine taken apart in march of 1995, and also in April, 1995, to flux the engine's crankshaft. The engine did not run right, he added. Maintenance records and engine log book described that the engine was disassemble on March 25, 1995, and again on April 221, 1995, by Jasper Aircraft Engines of Hiawassee, GA, and was returned to service. Donal Bates, manager of Michigan City, Indiana, airport stated, that he did not observe the aircraft depart on May 8, 1995, but, did observe the aircraft taxi out for departure; and, shortly thereafter, he heard the aircraft depart, about 0830CDT. He further stated, that the aircraft was fueled the afternoon of May 7, 1995, then locked into a hangar where normally a fueled truck would be parked.

Mr. Al Kintrele, of Michigan City, Indiana, Airport stated, that he topped off both wing tanks on the afternoon of may 07, 1995, and that a total of 25.4 gallons of 100LL was dispensed. He also stated that Janice, herself, fueled the overhead tank; but, he does not know the amount of fuel she added. The total fuel that was dispensed for the aircraft was 25.4 gallons. That amount includes the fuel Janice pumped herself.

Mr. William Botsford, owner and manager of the Botsford Airport, Wellington, Ohio, was eye witness to the event, and on the scene. Mr. Botsford stated, that he was mowing the west side of the grass runway near the approach end of runway 36 heading north. He said he saw the aircraft coming form north (heading south) at a high rate of speed, and at about 50 feet of altitude over the runway, never touching down. As the aircraft passed by him, it made a steep left climbing turn and reached an altitude of about 200-250 feet, then nosed down 90 degrees (vertically) and crashed about 1115 onto a fallow corn field about 300 yards southeast of runway 36. Mr. Botsford said, that he could not hear if the aircraft engine was running because of the noise from his grass mowing tractor.

Mr. John Honoshofsky of 45437 Cemetery Road, Wellington, Ohio, wrote in his statement: "I was in back of my barn. I looked at her because the motor sputtered. She was headed north, then she headed south to land, she was up a couple of thousand feet. She started to land, the mortar revved up. She got up 300-500 feet and the motor quit. She swung it around north again. I heard the crash". Mr. Honoshofsky's barn is located approximately 1/4 mile southwest of runway 36.

Mr. Levi J. Shetler of 43520 St. Rt. 162, Spencer, Ohio, wrote in his statement that: "we (brother and I) were working on a house, north side of Route 18, west of Hawley Road. I heard the sputtering and saw it flying high overhead at a northeast direction. It banked to the west, turning south towards Botsford Airport. The plane started down to land at what appeared to be a faster than normal speed up as the plane attempted to take off again climbing up at a steep grade. As the plane started to turn to the left, the engine died".

Mr. Shetler was located approximately 1/4 mile northeast of runway 18.

Damage To Aircraft

The aircraft was located in a fall chisel plowed corn field, approximately 200 yards north of Cemetery Road and approximately 200 yards east of Botsford Airport runway 18/36, approach end of 36, Wellington, Ohio. The aircraft was destroyed by crash impact forces, and was beyond economical repair. The aircraft was resting right side up and level. Impact damage was isolated to fuselage section, primarily from aft cockpit forward, to wing root leading edges, main landing gear attachments, propeller, engine, cowl firewall, aft firewall compartment, forward cockpit, and wing spars at main landing gear and fuselage attachments. Damage to aft cockpit instrument panel and canopy appear to be from pilot impact.

There was no damage or evidence of contact to either wing tip or empenage section.

The accessory section located on the aft side of the engine was at surface level. Angle of engine penetration appears to be approximately 45 + degrees. Engine mount structure and firewall are partially separated from fuselage forward section.

Two propeller blades were located to the immediate left and right of the engine enter line. One laying on the surface, the other partially buried, the third propeller blade was subsequently discovered buried in the most forward portion of impact hole.

Both wing root leading edges, vicinity of wet wing fuel cells, were ruptured, no evidence of fuel in either cell at fuel discharge location. Smoke oil take, located aft of firewall, was damaged and ruptured. There was a quantity, approximately one quart of fluid, in the bottom of the tank.

Subsequent Damage Occurred As Follows:

After site documentation was completed the flight controls of the rudder, elevator and ailerons for continuity was established and found correct. A decision to move the aircraft to a shelter area due to rain in the forecast was made. Mr. William Botsford and Dan Ausbach attempted to left the aircraft by front end loader and chain fastened to the starter ring of the engine. During the attempt to raise the nose of the aircraft, the engines starter ring broke, and a portion of the material propelled under the engine toward the firewall and struck an object. The material, which was struck, ignited instantaneously and in a matter of several seconds, the entire front portion of the cockpit and engine area were engulfed by flames and a large amount of black smoke. An attempt to extinguish the fire was unsuccessful. The local fire department arrive and extinguished the fire.

Crew Information:

Janice Roberta Jones, age 44, held commercial pilot certificate 261084639 issued on April 07, 1992, with airplane ratings for:

Airplane single engine land - commercial pilot Airplane single engine sea - private pilot

With certificate limitations of:

"Carrying passengers in airplanes for hire is prohibited at night and on cross country flights of more than 6\50 nautical miles".

According to the NTSB form 6120.1/2, (completed by her spouse) her total aeronautical experience is about 830 hours, of which 320 hours were accrued in the Staudacher S-300.

In the preceding 30, 90 days and 24 hours before the accident, the NTSB from 6120 1/2 lists a total of 30, 50 and 5 (five) hours flown, respectively.

Aircraft Information:

The aircraft, a Staudacher, serial number 16, had accrued a total time in service of 330.2 hours. The maintenance records note that a major overhaul was accomplished on March 23, 1995, 30 hours before the accident, an annual inspection was completed on March 13, 1995, on the airframe and engine.

Fueling records at Michigan City Municipal Airport, Michigan City, Indiana, established that the aircraft was last fueled on May 07, 1995 at 1450 local time with the addition of 25.4 gallons of 100LL fuel.

Meteorological information:

The closest weather observation station was Cleveland Hopkins Airport, Cleveland, Ohio, located 23NM and on a 060 degree magnitude direction of the accident site. At 1450 Central daylight time, surface observation was reported at 13,000 scattered 20,000 broken, visibility ten (10), temperature, 57: dewpoint, thirty (30); and wind 090 at twelve (12)

Communication:

Review of the air-ground radio facilities along her (believed most direct route) revealed that no aircraft communications had taken place.

Pathological Information:

An autopsy was conducted on May 11, 1995, by the Cuyahoga County Coroner's office, state of Ohio. Toxicological testing conducted by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was negative for drugs and alcohol.

Test and Research:

There were no indications of an internal or external failure to the basic powerplant.

The fuel servo, flow divider, nozzles, and spark plugs were forwarded to Precision Airmotive Corporation, Everett, Washington, via SEA FSDO. Precision is the manufacturer of the fuel servo.

A request for a tear down analysis, and flow check of the servo and components, was accomplished and witnessed by FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, Airworthiness, Ken Ziemer, of the Seattle FSDO.

Precision Airmotive Corporation, findings revealed "no abnormal or discrepant conditions which would indicate a malfunction of the fuel control". However, oily residue present on internal components.

Release of Wreckage Statement:

The wreckage was released to: Aviation Adjusting Associates, Mr. D. Pearson, One Eastvine Street, Mt. Vernon, Oh 43050, the representative of the owner on May 24, 1995, via FAA form 8020-2 Aircraft/Parts Identification and Release.

NTSB Probable Cause

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering, which resulted in a stall and collision with the ground.