# NTSB BFO87DID04: Bennetter-Stevens Starduster, N36GP, Roanoke, VA, September 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1987, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Roanoke, VA
- Coordinates: 37.210289, -80.039398 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2103&lon=-80.0394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11267
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87DID04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11267/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87DID04

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT WENT ON AN ORIENTATION FLT IN THE HOME BUILT STARDUSTER. DRG THE LNDG, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN AT ABOUT 40 MPH. THE PLT STATED THAT AS IT SLOWED TO ABOUT 25 MPH, THE 'RIGHT BRAKE OR SOMETHING LOCKED, PLANE PULLED HARD RIGHT, THEN UP ON NOSE & OVER ON BACK.'  HE BELIEVED THAT 'NO ONE WAS USING BRAKES.'  HOWEVER, NO MALFUNCTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS FND DRG THE INVESTIGATION. THE ACFT HAD A TOTAL FLT TIME OF 512 HRS. THE PLT HAD ONLY 2 HRS OF FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36GP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N36GP), registered now, S/N SB-1, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENNETTER-STEVENS STARDUSTER
- Registry model: [Bennetter-Stevens STARDUSTER TOO](https://openairdocs.org/model/bennetter-stevens-starduster-too) (registry code 8660171) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: SB1
- Airframe hours: 512
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry T. Hubbard
- Registered owner: Larry T Hubbard
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1987, 1 hours before
- Airport: ROA, Woodrum Field, runway 24, 6,802 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 250 total, 2 in this make and model, 190 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROA

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870923055179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870923055179A), Sep 23, 1987: Amtrso STARDUSTER2, Roanoke, VA, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered sharply right on landing. Nosed over. Pilot suspects brake problem, none reported.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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