# NTSB DEN85FQA04: Star Duster Too SA-300, N65010, Grants, NM, August 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1985, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Grants, NM
- Coordinates: 35.180557, -107.890594 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1806&lon=-107.8906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16561
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FQA04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16561/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FQA04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - elevator trim - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF N65010, A STARDUSTER II ON 8/6/85 TOOK OFF FROM GRANTS, NM AT ABOUT 1100 MDT, SOUTH BOUND TO INTERCEPT WINSLOW, AZ VOR, RADIAL 255. WHEN TRYING TO GAIN ALTITUDE THE PILOT STATED THE AIRCRAFT FELT THE EFFECTS OF DENSITY ALTITUDE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO REACH THE AIRWAY ALTITUDE. A DOWN-DRAFT FINALLY CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO LOSE FORWARD AIRSPEED CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO CRASH IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE ELEVATOR TRIM WAS IN A FULL NOSE UP CONDITION. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DEMOLISHED. THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE PILOT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE ELT ACTIVATED WHICH LED TO THE PILOT'S RESCUE. ACCIDENT ALT WAS 7400 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N65010 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: STAR DUSTER TOO SA-300
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: BJ101
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael C. Ryan
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1985, 9,231 hours before
- Departed: GNT, GRANTS, NM
- Destination: 1NW, WINSLOW, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 210 total, 65 in this make and model, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850806036989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850806036989A), Aug 6, 1985: Amtrso STARDUSTR300, Grants, NM, Destroyed. Pilot unable to gain needed altitude in mountainous terrain. Aircraft stalled and impacted 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.

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