# NTSB CHI88DEM09: Hulliberger Starduster II, N939H, White Cloud, MI, August 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1988, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: White Cloud, MI
- Coordinates: 43.549152, -85.769309 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5492&lon=-85.7693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13871
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEM09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13871/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEM09

## Probable cause

UNAUTHORIZED PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CONTROL OF THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, AND THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND.

## 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
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use, unknown
  - aircraft control - not maintained, unknown (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, unknown (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT, PILOTED BY AN UNIDENTIFIED/UNAUTHORIZED PILOT, VEERED TO THE RIGHT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. THE LEFT WING IMPACTED THE GROUND AT THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N939H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N939H), registered now, S/N 939, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HULLIBERGER STARDUSTER II (STARDUSTER)
- Registry model: [Hulliberger M W STARDUSTER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/hulliberger-m-w-starduster-ii) (registry code 86603BX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 939
- Airframe hours: 3
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W670 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marvin W. Hulliberger
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 42C, WHITE CLOUD, MI
- Airport: 42C, White Cloud, runway 17, 2,911 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 50 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 19880815032979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880815032979A), Aug 15, 1988: Amtrso STARDUSTER2, White Cloud, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft was found crash landed on airport. Flown by an unidentified person.

## Other investigations on N939H (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 CHI97LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA186), Jun 27, 1997: Hulliberger Starduster II (N939H), Berrien Springs, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the failure of the landing gear axle due to fatigue.

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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