# NTSB CHI07CA242: Marcellus Starduster SA-300, N2498, Columbia, IL, July 24, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 24, 2007, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Columbia, IL - Coordinates: 38.123054, -90.237503 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1231&lon=-90.2375&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 66387 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA242 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66387/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA242 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent left main landing gear collapse. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - grass - Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The left main landing gear collapsed during landing on runway 21 (2,450 feet long by 150 feet wide, dry grass) . The pilot stated that on short final for runway 21 the airplane's sink rate was "higher than it should have been" and that he "did not correct it soon enough." The airplane landed hard, the pilot felt something "give" on the left side, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot stated that the airplane then "swerved to the left" but he was able to stop the airplane on the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The experimental amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged when the left main landing gear collapsed during landing. The pilot stated that on short final for runway 21 (2,450 feet by 150 feet, turf) the airplane's sink rate was "higher than it should have been" and that he "did not correct it soon enough." The airplane landed hard, the pilot felt something "give" on the left side, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot stated that the airplane then "swerved to the left" but he was able to stop the airplane on the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2498](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2498), registered now, S/N 7242, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Marcellus Starduster SA-300 - Registry model: [Marcellus STARDUSTER SA-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/marcellus-starduster-sa-300) (registry code 8660136) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7242 - Airframe hours: 314 - Engines: Continental E-185-3 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 1, 2007 - Departed: H49, Columbia, IL - Airport: H49, Columbia, runway 21, 2,450 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2005; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,251 total, 90 in this make and model, 1,029 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: CPS, 8 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 20070724014159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070724014159A), Jul 24, 2007: Amtr STARDUSTR300, Columbia, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that after a hard landing the aircraft started to pull to the left. During the effort to keep the aircraft straight, the pilot noticed the… ## Other investigations on N2498 (2) 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 MIA96LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA156), May 12, 1996: Marcellus Star Fire (N2498), Umatilla, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper use of brakes on landing roll out resulting in a nose over. - [NTSB MIA74FKG56](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74FKG56), Mar 9, 1974: Starduster II (N2498), Brooks, GA, substantial damage 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.