# NTSB CHI91DEX02: Hagg Starduster TOO, N224JH, Shelbyville, IN, February 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1991, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Shelbyville, IN
- Coordinates: 39.519245, -85.769882 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5192&lon=-85.7699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14867
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEX02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14867/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEX02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, NOT REFUELING THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE TAKING OFF ON THIS FLIGHT, AND INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT IS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN SELECTED BY THE PILOT FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

PILOT FUELED THE AIRCRAFT WITH 9 GALLONS OF FUEL, TOOK OFF, AND WENT SIGHTSEEING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, AND LANDED AT ANOTHER FIELD.  HE GAVE RIDES TO THREE PERSONS WHILE HE WAS THERE.  PILOT THEN TOOK OFF TO RETURN TO HIS POINT OF ORIGIN.  APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES LATER HE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING IN A PLOWED CORN FIELD PERPENDICULAR TO THE FURROWS.  RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DUG IN AND COLLAPSED ON LANDING ROLL.  INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO FUEL IN AIRCRAFT.  PILOT HAD FLOWN FOR 2.1 HOURS SINCE HIS ORIGINAL TAKEOFF, AND STATED THAT HE THOUGHT HE HAD FUEL FOR ANOTHER HOUR OF FLIGHT TIME WHEN THE MISHAP OCCURRED.  FUEL WAS AVAILABLE AT BOTH AIRFIELDS HE WAS USING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N224JH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N224JH), registered now, S/N 89H29, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HAGG STARDUSTER TOO (STARDUSTER)
- Registry model: [Hagg Jeffrey Dale STARDUSTER TOO](https://openairdocs.org/model/hagg-jeffrey-dale-starduster-too) (registry code 86603DS) (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: 89H29
- Airframe hours: 42
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jeffery Hagg
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 3, 1990, 17 hours before
- Departed: I52, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Destination: 35M, IN
- Airport: I52, Shelbyville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: rear; flight hours: 356 total, 42 in this make and model, 328 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19910203001349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910203001349A), Feb 3, 1991: Amtrso STARDUSTER2, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel. Nosed up landing in a plowed cornfield.

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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