# NTSB ERA20CA128: Stolp Starduster Acroduster II SA750, N529FM, Senoia, GA, March 7, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 7, 2020, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Senoia, GA - Coordinates: 33.283332, -84.538887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2833&lon=-84.5389&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 29, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101081 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101081/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101081 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA128 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to see and avoid trees while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Myers Fred R III ACRODUSTER II SA750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05604YH), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Myers Fred R III ACRODUSTER II SA750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05604YH), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Myers Fred R III ACRODUSTER II SA750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05604YH), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Myers Fred R III ACRODUSTER II SA750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05604YH), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Myers Fred R III ACRODUSTER II SA750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05604YH), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Myers Fred R III ACRODUSTER II SA750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05604YH), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Myers Fred R III ACRODUSTER II SA750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05604YH), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while performing aerial stunts for a local children's party, the airplane struck a tree, and he then lost control of the airplane. He maneuvered the airplane over a street, and it struck another tree and then impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. A Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the airplane after the accident confirmed flight control continuity and reported no anomalies with the flight controls. ## Factual narrative According to local law enforcement, the pilot reported that, while performing aerial stunts for a local children's party. The airplane struck a tree and he lost control of the airplane. He was able to maneuver the airplane across the street before striking another tree and impacting terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings and the empennage. A Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the airplane after the accident confirmed flight control continuity and reported no anomalies with the flight controls.The pilot did not submit an NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report or any other statement describing the circumstances surrounding the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N529FM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N529FM-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N 302, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stolp Starduster ACRODUSTER II SA750 (No Series) - Registry model: [Myers Fred R III ACRODUSTER II SA750](https://openairdocs.org/model/myers-fred-r-iii-acroduster-ii-sa750) (registry code 05604YH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 302 - Year built: 1998 - Engines: Lycoming IO360 SER A&C reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 64GA, Senoia, GA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 64GA, Big 'T' ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.45 inHg - Observed at: FFC, 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 20200307002329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200307002329A), Mar 7, 2020: Myers Fred R III ACRODUSTER II SA750, Senoia, GA, Destroyed. Aerobatic maneuver performed contrary to 14 CFR 91.119 resulted in aircraft striking tree leading to uncontrolled flight into terrain. Control surface… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 17, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101081. 658 KB in all. - Record of e-mail correspondence (CCSO) (item 1, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482547&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20e-mail%20correspondence%20(CCSO)-Master.PDF - Record of e-mail correspondence (FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482548&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20e-mail%20correspondence%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Attempt tp contact pilot Memo for Record (item 3, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482549&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Attempt%20tp%20contact%20pilot%20Memo%20for%20Record-Master.PDF - FAA wreckage exam e-mail correspondence (item 4, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482550&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20wreckage%20exam%20e-mail%20correspondence-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 5, .PDF, 1 photo, 283 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482551&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF 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.