# NTSB CHI97LA186: Hulliberger Starduster II, N939H, Berrien Springs, MI, June 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 26, 1997, 19:48 local (Jun 27, 1997, 00:48 UTC) - Place: Berrien Springs, MI - Coordinates: 41.940025, -86.340492 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9400&lon=-86.3405&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 7, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10613 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10613/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA186 ## Probable cause the failure of the landing gear axle due to fatigue. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,axle - fractured - landing gear,axle - fatigue ## Analysis The pilot in command reported that after an hour long local flight he was returning to make a full stop landing on runway 30. The pilot reported that the touchdown was, 'very smooth and normal, with the power at idle.' The pilot stated that during the landing rollout, 'the aircraft pitched forward and then rotated violently to the left.' The pilot reported that during the left rotation, 'the airplane rolled up onto both right wingtips, and then fell vertically onto its nose.' The airplane came to rest in a nose down attitude, supported by the left wing and right main gear. The left main landing gear axle and support tube were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory Division for inspection. The lab report states there was evidence 'indicative of a preexisting brittle fracture area such as fatigue cracking.' The inspection also revealed thinned areas of the tube. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 1997, at 1948 eastern standard time, a Hulliberger Starduster II, N939H, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when the landing gear collapsed during landing rollout. The commercial pilot reported minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed Andrews University Airpark Airport, Berrien Springs, Michigan, for a local personal flight at 1845 eastern standard time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. In his written statement, the pilot in command reported that after an hour long local flight he was returning to make a full stop landing on Runway 30. The pilot reported that the touchdown was, "very smooth and normal, with the power at idle." The pilot stated that during the landing rollout "the aircraft pitched forward and then rotated violently to the left." The pilot reported that during the left rotation, "the airplane rolled up onto both right wingtips, and then fell vertically onto its nose." The airplane came to rest in a nose down attitude, supported by the left wing and right main gear. The left main landing gear axle and support tube were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory Division for inspection. The lab report states there was evidence "indicative of a preexisting brittle fracture area such as fatigue cracking." The inspection also revealed thinned areas of the tube. The full metallurgical report is an attachment to this report. ## 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: 54 - Engines: Continental 670W 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Brent E. Caperton - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1996, 16 hours before - Departed: C20 - Airport: C20, Andrews University, runway 3, 2,075 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,154 total, 42 in this make and model, 1,075 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SBN, 20 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 19970626020049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970626020049A), Jun 26, 1997: Amtr STARDUSTER2, Berriem Springs, MI, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot in command reported that after an hour long local flight he was returning to make a full stop landing on runway 30. The pilot reported that the… ## 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 CHI88DEM09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEM09), Aug 15, 1988: Hulliberger Starduster II (N939H), White Cloud, MI, substantial damage. 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. 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.