# NTSB CHI98LA231: Kerr Startduster TOO, N159MK, Bay City, MI, July 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1998, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Bay City, MI - Coordinates: 43.60033, -83.950248 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6003&lon=-83.9502&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10945 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10945/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA231 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to assure the tailwheel tire had adequate pressure which resulted in his inability to maintain directional control of the airplane during a landing. Factors associated with the accident were the inadequate pressure and the uneven terrain contacted by the landing gear. ## 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 - landing gear,tire - pressure too low (contributing factor) - maintenance,pressurizing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported the airplane swerved and skidded sideways off the runway during the landing roll. The airplane traveled onto a taxiway where it contacted a 3 to 4 inch rise between the grass and the pavement. The right main landing gear collapsed then the rise was contacted. The pilot/builder reported the loss of directional control was a result of an under inflated tailwheel. He reported it should have been inflated to 38 psi due to the extra weight of having a passenger on board. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 1998, at 1520 eastern daylight time, a Starduster Too, N159MK, operated by a private pilot experienced a right main gear collapse while landing at the Bay City Clements Municipal Airport, Bay City, Michigan. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. The flight originated from the Bay City Clements Municipal Airport at 1415 eastern daylight time. The pilot reported that upon landing he lost directional control of the airplane. He stated the airplane swerved on the runway, then skidded sideways off the side of the runway. The airplane then traveled onto a taxiway where it contacted a 3 to 4 inch rise between the grass and the pavement. The right main landing gear collapsed then the rise was contacted. The pilot/builder reported the loss of directional control was a result of an under inflated tailwheel. He reported it should have been inflated to 38 psi due to the extra weight of having a passenger on board. Inspection of the airplane by an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Grand Rapids, Michigan, Flight Standards District Office revealed the right main landing gear separated at the attachment weld. When the right main gear collapsed the lower right wing contacted the terrain. This resulted in a failure of the right lower wing rear spar. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N159MK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N159MK), registered now, S/N MK-2 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KERR STARTDUSTER TOO (STARTDUSTE) - Registry model: [Kerr Matthew STARDUSTER TOO](https://openairdocs.org/model/kerr-matthew-starduster-too) (registry code 8660385) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435) (registry code 41516, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: MK-2 - Engines: Lycoming O-435 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Matthew Kerr - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 3CM - Destination: 3CM - Airport: 3CM, James Clements, runway 36, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,453 total, 649 in this make and model, 1,235 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 9 knots - Visibility: 13 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MBS, 5 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 19980701015709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980701015709A), Jul 1, 1998: Amtr STARDUSTER2, Bay City, MI, Substantial damage. Right main gear folded landing. (.19) on July 1, 1998, at 1520 eastern daylight time, a starduster too, N159MK, operated by a private pilot experienced a right… ## Other investigations on N159MK (2) 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 CEN13CA479](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA479), Aug 10, 2013: Kerr Matthew Starduster TOO (N159MK), Frankenmuth, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent impact with a corn field. - [NTSB DEN86LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA180), Jun 28, 1986: Mathew M. Kerr Starduster TOO (N159MK), Roundup, MT, substantial damage 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.