Amateur-built DSA-1 accident near Washington, Iowa, September 16, 2002
On September 16, 2002 at about 11:10 pm local time, a amateur-built DSA-1, registered N304MB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Washington, Iowa. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The selection of unsuitable terrain and the failure of the oil pressure gage line. Factors were, the pilot/owners failure to obtain an annual condition inspection, and the corn crop.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 16, 2002 · about 11:10 pm local time
- Place
- Washington, Iowa · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built DSA-1
- Registration
- N304MB · no longer on the register · serial 01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was damaged during a precautionary landing after an oil line failure during flight. The pilot said that the plastic oil line from the engine to the oil pressure gauge failed. He said that thick smoke and oil were present and he elected to land the airplane before a fire could start. He said that there were only corn fields and he stalled the airplane about 10 feet above the ground during the precautionary landing. He stated that the airplane hit the ground and the shoulder harness attachment broke loose. The pilot/owner reported that the most recent annual condition inspection was performed on July 5, 1998.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,550 hours in all; 90 in this make and model; 1,550 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 4, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 90 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 5, 1998; 19 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AWG Washington IA at 11:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.