# NTSB CHI02LA007: Woodrow Stolp-Adams Starduster SA-100, N64HW, Millstadt, IL, October 21, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 21, 2001, 12:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Millstadt, IL - Coordinates: 38.450321, -90.089416 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4503&lon=-90.0894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - St. Louis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53657 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53657/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA007 ## Probable cause The pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the tree line. Factors to the accident were the pilot attempting the low altitude flight/maneuver and the presence of the tree line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - low altitude flight/maneuver - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - Fire, other ## Analysis According to witnesses to the accident, the airplane was maneuvering at a low altitude over their residence at the time of accident. The witnesses reported that the airplane was turning back towards their position when it impacted the top of a tree and subsequently impacted the terrain. One witness reported that the airplane's engine had "normal" power prior to the impact with the tree line. There was a debris field, approximately 125 feet long by 50 feet wide, which was orientated on an easterly heading. At the western edge of the debris field, approximately 125 feet from the tree line, there was a ground-impact and fragmented portions of tree material. The aircraft wreckage was located approximately 100 feet from the initial ground impact and was facing west. The entire airplane was exposed to varying degrees of fire damage. The fabric covering of the fuselage and tail surfaces were completely burned. The entire wing was consumed in the post-impact fire. The engine, cowling structure, and propeller were damaged by fire. No mechanical anomalies were found with the airplane or its flight control systems. At the pilot's last medical examination he reported that he had accumulated a total flight time of 1,500 hours. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 21, 2001, at 1210 central daylight time, a Woodrow Stolp-Adams Starduster SA-100, N64HW, was destroyed during an in-flight collision with terrain and post-impact fire near Millstadt, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight's origin and intended destination are unknown. According to witnesses to the accident, the airplane was maneuvering at a low altitude over their residence at the time of accident. The witnesses reported that the airplane was turning back towards their position when it impacted the top of a tree and subsequently impacted the terrain. The witnesses reported that subsequent to the collision with the terrain a fire erupted and destroyed the airplane. One witness reported that the airplane's engine had "normal" power prior to the impact with the tree line. Written witness statements are appended to this factual report. PERSONNEL INFORMATION According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot was the holder of a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane ratings. FAA records show the pilot's last medical examination was performed on August 8, 2001, and he was issued a third-class medical certificate with the limitation, "Must Have Available Glasses For Near Vision". At the pilot's last medical examination he reported that he had accumulated a total flight time of 1,500 hours. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The aircraft was a 1971 Woodrow Stolp-Adams Starduster SA-100, N64HW, serial number HW101. The Starduster SA-100 is an amateur-built experimental biplane. The Starduster SA-100 has a fabric-covered wing that incorporates a wooden spar and ribs. The fuselage is constructed of fabric-covered steel tubing and sheet aluminum stock. The Starduster SA-100 has a fixed conventional landing gear and can accommodate a single occupant. The airplane was powered by 150 horsepower Lycoming O-320-E engine. The empty weight of the airplane was 971 lbs and the maximum gross weight was 1,290 lbs. The FAA issued the airplane an Experimental Airworthiness Certificate on October 1, 1991. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION A weather observation station, located at the St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS), about 7 nautical miles (nm) northwest of the accident site, recorded the weather approximately five minutes after the accident as: Observation Time: 1215 Wind: Light and variable in direction Visibility: 10 statute miles Sky Condition: Scattered clouds at 3,500 feet above ground level (agl) Broken clouds at 4,400 feet agl Temperature: 24 degrees centigrade Dew Point: 17 degrees centigrade Pressure: 30.07 inches of mercury WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION A FAA inspector performed the post-accident inspection of the airplane on October 21, 2001. The accident site was located near the intersection of Urbana Road and Executive Drive in Millstadt, Illinois. The airplane impacted a tree line that ran north/south and perpendicular to Urbana Road. There was a debris field, approximately 125 feet long by 50 feet wide, which was orientated on an easterly heading. At the western edge of the debris field, approximately 125 feet from the tree line, there was a ground-impact and fragmented portions of tree material. The aircraft wreckage was located approximately 100 feet from the initial ground impact and was facing west. The entire airplane was exposed to varying degrees of fire damage. The fabric covering of the fuselage and tail surfaces were completely burned. The entire wing was consumed in the post-impact fire. The engine, cowling structure, and propeller were damaged by fire. No anomalies were found with the remaining portions of the flight control systems. No anomalies were found with the airplane that could be associated with any pre-impact condition. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was performed on the pilot at the St. Mary's Hospital, East St. Louis, Illinois, on October 22, 2001. A Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report was prepared by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The toxicology results for the pilot were: * No Carbon Monoxide detected in Blood * No Cyanide detected in Blood * No Ethanol detected in Vitreous * No Drugs detected in Blood FIRE The post-impact fire that ensued was extinguished by the local fire department. The airplane was destroyed during the fire. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 14 CFR Part 91.119 (Minimum safe altitudes) states in part: "Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes: (a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface. (b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft. (c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure." The FAA was a party to the investigation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64HW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64HW-2002-03-28), registration cancelled 2002-03-28, S/N HW101, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Woodrow Stolp-Adams Starduster SA-100 - Registry model: [Woodrow Stolp-Adams STARDUSTER SA-100](https://openairdocs.org/model/woodrow-stolp-adams-starduster-sa-100) (registry code 86601MH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: HW101 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: single; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,400 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: CPS, 7 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 20011021033079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011021033079A), Oct 21, 2001: Millstadt, IL, No damage, 1 fatal. (-23) According to witness statements, aircraft made a low pass and pilot recognized witnesses on ground. The pilot rolled aircraft into a steep bank and hit… ## Other investigations on N64HW (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 CHI86FEV03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FEV03), Jul 26, 1986: Woodrow Starduster SA-100 (N64HW), New Baden, IL, destroyed, 1 fatal 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.