# NTSB CEN25LA020: Starship Enterprise, N903SC, Addison, TX, October 17, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 17, 2024, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Addison, TX
- Coordinates: 32.969841, -96.835935 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9698&lon=-96.8359&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 195351
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195351/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195351
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA020

## Probable cause

Foreign object debris damage to the ventral stabilizer.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [RNS ENTERPRISE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=056329M), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [RNS ENTERPRISE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=056329M), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [RNS ENTERPRISE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=056329M), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While conducting a post-flight walkaround inspection, the pilot discovered two through penetrations of the ventral vertical stabilizer and damage to three propellor blade leading edges, likely from foreign object debris. The stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The source of the debris could not be determined. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. This airplane is an exported former Beechcraft Starship 2000A that was issued a new special airworthiness certificate as an experimental Enterprise during import.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N903SC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N903SC), registered now, S/N NCC-1701, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Starship Enterprise
- Registry model: [RNS ENTERPRISE](https://openairdocs.org/model/rns-enterprise) (registry code 056329M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6-67A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6-67a) (registry code 52286, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NCC-1701
- Year built: 2013
- Airframe hours: 3020
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney PTA-67A 1200 horsepower turbo prop; Pratt & Whitney PTA-67A 1200 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, August 2, 2023
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ADS, Addison Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 4,150 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: KADS
- METAR: METAR KADS 172047Z 15010KT 13SM SKC 21/M03 A3020=

## 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 20241017022089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241017022089A), Oct 17, 2024: Rns Aircraft LLC ENTERPRISE, Addison, TX, Substantial damage. During a post flight inspection of the aircraft, FOD damage was discovered on three of the #1 propeller blades and ventral strake. Airport tower was notified.…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195351. 2.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18203461&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 464 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18204272&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.

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