# NTSB CHI90DEX01: Sattler Aeroduster SA750, N85CH, Columbus, IN, June 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1990, 19:10 local (Jun 1, 1990, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, IN
- Coordinates: 39.230583, -85.830307 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2306&lon=-85.8303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14505
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEX01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14505/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEX01

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING TAKEOFF ROLL. HE REPORTED THAT WHEN CONTROL WAS LOST, HE PROBABLY OVERCORRECTED WITH LEFT RUDDER DUE TO HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE (2.5 HOURS). THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND FLIPPED INVERTED IN THE GRASS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT LOCAL WINDS WERE CALM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N85CH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SATTLER AERODUSTER SA750 (AERODUSTER)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: SA-1
- Airframe hours: 48
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: W. R. Sattler
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 28, 1990, 3 hours before
- Airport: BAK, Columbus Muni, runway 32, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,160 total, 3 in this make and model, 580 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUF, 61 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 19900531018289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900531018289A), May 31, 1990: Amtrcs DUSTERSAILPL, Columbus, IN, Substantial damage. Lost control on takeoff roll,side loads blew a tire and aircraft cartwheeled and flipped over.

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.