# NTSB CHI89DEE03: Ruschke Starduster TOO, N32GR, Mc Henry, IL, May 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1989, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Mc Henry, IL
- Coordinates: 42.33937, -88.289581 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3394&lon=-88.2896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14184
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEE03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14184/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEE03

## Probable cause

THE FLYING PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING AN OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE STRUCK TERRAIN WHILE IN AN OUT OF CONTROL DESCENT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT. WITNESSES REPORTED A NORMAL TAKEOFF AND INITIAL CLIMB AND THEN THE AIRPLANE ROTATED TO A NEAR VERTICAL CLIMB FOLLOWED BY A 'HAMMERHEAD MANEUVER' TO THE LEFT. IT THEN DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32GR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32GR-1990-06-04), registration cancelled 1990-06-04, S/N GR1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RUSCHKE STARDUSTER TOO (STARDUSTER)
- Registry model: [Ruschke Gerald J STARDUSTER TOO](https://openairdocs.org/model/ruschke-gerald-j-starduster-too) (registry code 8660373) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: GR-1947
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lloyd E. Hughes
- Registered owner: Hughes Lloyd E
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 1989
- Departed: 10C, MCHENRY, IL
- Airport: 10C, Greenwood/Wonder Lake, runway 9, 3,100 × 36 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IKK, 45 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 19890522012079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890522012079A), May 22, 1989: Amtrso STARDUSTER2, Greenwood/Wonde, IL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed to nose up after takeoff stall and spin in. No defects found. Possible improper trim. Fire hid evidence.

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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