# NTSB BFO88LA032: Dreyer-Starduster SA-300, N3LD, Richlands, VA, March 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1988, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Richlands, VA
- Coordinates: 37.090564, -81.799049 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0906&lon=-81.7990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11402
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11402/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA032

## 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
  - landing gear,tailwheel lock - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

AFTER TOUCHDOWN, DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT VEERED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THIS ACTION BY APPLYING RIGHT RUDDER AND THE ACFT VEERED 45 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT. THE ACFT TRAVELED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY AND CAME TO REST ON THE EMBANKMENT OF A RIVER WHICH CROSSED UNDER THE RWY. A MALFUNCTION OF THE TAILWHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM WAS DISCOVERED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3LD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3LD-2013-04-15), registration cancelled 2013-04-15, S/N 1145, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DREYER-STARDUSTER SA-300
- Registry model: [Dreyer STARDUSTER SA300](https://openairdocs.org/model/dreyer-starduster-sa300) (registry code 8660207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435C&D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435c-d-series) (registry code 41521, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1145
- Airframe hours: 302
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-435 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack C. Shelton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1987
- Airport: 7A4, Richlands Muni, runway 26, 3,427 × 44 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 248 total, 39 in this make and model, 212 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLF, 33 nm away

## 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 19880326013919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880326013919A), Mar 26, 1988: Amtrso STARDUSTR300, Richlands, VA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on rollout. Veered off runway. Collided with a river embankment. Had a faulty tailwheel.

## Other investigations on N3LD (1)

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.

- [NTSB ERA09CA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA351), Jun 15, 2009: Dreyer Starduster (N3LD), Cowlesville, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight fuel inspection.

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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