Probable cause
Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
NTSB analysis
A witness observed the airplane during takeoff. The nose of the airplane was pitched up about 20-to-25 degrees and the airplane climbed to between 800 to 1,000 feet with full power. The climb angle increased to about 60-degrees and the engine was heard to go silent. The airplane was observed to initiate a wing-over maneuver in a nose down attitude, turned 90 degrees to the left, and disappeared from view below the tree line. The witness then heard the sound of the airplane colliding with trees and the ground. The pilot stated the airplane had 30 gallons of 100 low-lead fuel at take off. The fuel tank was ruptured and the smell of fuel was present at the accident site. Examination of the airframe flight controls and engine assembly revealed no anomalies. Metallurgical examination of the fuel servo and induction air filter revealed they did not contribute to the loss of engine power.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for MIA08LA142 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 15, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tappahannock, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Tappahannock-Essex County (XSA)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built Starduster 2
- N-number
- N27ED
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.