Stokes SMITH DSA-1 N33BS

Summary

On 8 June 1995 at about 20:15 local time, a Stokes SMITH DSA-1 registered N33BS was involved in an accident near Brookshire, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 June 1995 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Brookshire, Texas, United States

Coordinates

29.7796, -95.9498

Aircraft

Stokes SMITH DSA-1

Registration

N33BS

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Waller → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW95LA237

1 person had minor injuries.

OWNER/BUILDER'S INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CORRODED MAGNETO COILS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF AND COLLIDED WITH A RICE LEVEE DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE BUILDER/OWNER/PILOT HOLDS AN FAA AIRCRAFT REPAIRMAN CERTIFICATE AND PERFORMED THE MAINTENANCE ON THE AIRPLANE INCLUDING THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE FACTORY REMANUFACTURED MAGNETOS (BENDIX MODEL S4LN21 P/N 10- 51360-30; S/N 321336 AND 321337) HAD BEEN INSTALLED SINCE JUNE 10, 1988. FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, EXAMINATION OF THE MAGNETOS REVEALED 'HEAVILY CORRODED COILS.' THE LEFT MAGNETO COIL 'FAILED THE RESISTANCE CHECK.' GROUND LEAD TO HIGH TENSION RESISTANCE 'READ .85 OHM'; ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER IT SHOULD READ '12,000 TO 16,000 OHMS.' THIS WAS THE PILOT'S 'THIRD FORCED LANDING DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE.' PRIOR TROUBLESHOOTING BY THE BUILDER DID NOT LEAD TO MAGNETO TEARDOWN.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.