Amateur-built SMITH DSA-1 accident near Brookshire, Texas, June 8, 1995
On June 8, 1995 at about 8:15 pm local time, a amateur-built SMITH DSA-1, registered N33BS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Brookshire, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 1995 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Brookshire, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SMITH DSA-1 SMITH DSA-
- Registration
- N33BS · registry record · serial 100
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,300 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 7, 1995
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Waller TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:47 pm from DWH, 20 miles away
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.