# NTSB CEN09CA315: Holsclaw Francis E Starduster, N42WT, Ranger, TX, May 23, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 23, 2009, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Ranger, TX - Coordinates: 32.451389, -98.676391 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4514&lon=-98.6764&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73909 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA315 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73909/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73909 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA315 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain directional control due to the buckling of the right landing gear as a result of corrosion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Holsclaw Francis E STARDUSTER 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=8660422), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Holsclaw Francis E STARDUSTER 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=8660422), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Holsclaw Francis E STARDUSTER 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8660422), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Holsclaw Francis E STARDUSTER 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=8660422), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Holsclaw Francis E STARDUSTER 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8660422), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Holsclaw Francis E STARDUSTER 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8660422), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll from a grass/turf runway, the homebuilt bi-wing airplane made a sharp right turn. The pilot applied rudder and aileron controls, however the airplane drifted to the right side of the runway and one of the right wing tips impacted a mesquite tree. Moments later, the right wing tips impacted the ground and the airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position. Examination of the airplane's right landing gear leg revealed that it had buckled near the wheel, in an area that appeared to be corroded. The runway's surface was reportedly "rough.” ## Factual narrative During the take-off roll from a grass/turf runway, the homebuilt bi-wing airplane made a sharp right turn. The pilot applied rudder and ailerons controls; however, the airplane drifted to the right side of the runway and one of the right wing tips impacted a mesquite tree. Moments later, the right wing tips impacted the ground and the airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position. Examination of the airplane's right landing gear leg revealed that it had buckled, near the wheel, in an area that appeared corroded. The runway's surface was reportedly "rough.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42WT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42WT-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 949, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HOLSCLAW FRANCIS E STARDUSTER - Registry model: [Holsclaw Francis E STARDUSTER 100](https://openairdocs.org/model/holsclaw-francis-e-starduster-100) (registry code 8660422) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 949 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: KXBP, Bridgeport, TX - Destination: F23, Ranger, TX - Airport: F23, Ranger Municipal Airport, runway 01, 2,730 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 25, 2008; seat: single; flight hours: 25,140 total, 80 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KBRD, 19 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 20090523006689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090523006689A), May 23, 2009: Amtr STARDUSTER*, Ranger, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 23, 2009, at 1430 CST, N42WT, a starduster 100, ground looped and flipped over on its back during departure from Ranger Municipal Airport (F23) in… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73909. 597 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 305 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315155&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315156&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 3, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315157&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Landing gear leg (item 4, .PDF, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315158&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Landing%20gear%20leg-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Landing gear leg (item 5, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315159&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Landing%20gear%20leg-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.