Amateur-built STREAK SHADOW accident near Salem, West Virginia, April 15, 2012
On April 15, 2012 at about 9:30 pm local time, a amateur-built STREAK SHADOW, registered N2828W, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Salem, West Virginia (Private Airstrip airport). 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
A total loss of engine power due to a piston seizure that resulted from a fuel system restriction and poorly secured fuel lines. Contributing to the accident were the pilot/builder’s failure to follow the engine manufacturer procedures and his use of nonaviation parts to secure fuel lines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 15, 2012 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Salem, West Virginia · Private Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built STREAK SHADOW
- Registration
- N2828W · no longer on the register · serial OSS912260003
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was attempting the first flight since the airplane was damaged in an accident about 2 years earlier and then “rebuilt.” Shortly after takeoff, the engine sputtered and lost all power. While the pilot was attempting to maneuver for a forced landing, the airplane collided with trees and terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe and serious injuries to the pilot. Examination of the engine and fuel system revealed that the pistons were severely scored, indicative of a seizure. Examinations revealed that nonaviation tie wraps were used to secure the fuel lines to various fittings, and, in one location, no clamp was used. The airplane was equipped with an in-line fuel flow transducer. Disassembly of the engine revealed that the transducer incorporated a 2-millimeter (mm) jet. According to the engine manufacturer, no device with a diameter smaller than 5 mm should be installed anywhere in the fuel system. The transducer was installed on a test engine, and the engine ran normally up to 7,100 rpm with the 2-mm jet. When a small amount of air was introduced into the lines to replicate a poorly secured or unsecured fuel line, low fuel pressure and fluctuating rpm resulted, and subsequent examinations of the pistons showed signs of scoring damage.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel flow sensor › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel distribution › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Owner/builder
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 18,000 hours in all; 101 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 30, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 101 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 12, 2012; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 900 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 Series (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Salem WV at 9:30 pm
- Destination: Salem WV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from CKB, 35 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.