# NTSB FTW02LA114: McClung Starduster SA-1, N2XM, Sherman, TX, April 8, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 8, 2002, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Sherman, TX - Coordinates: 33.610187, -96.600708 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6102&lon=-96.6007&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54486 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54486/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54486 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA114 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadvertent use of unsuitable taxi terrain, which resulted in an encounter with a ditch while taxing from landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing - terrain condition - ditch - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot departed in the recently purchased airplane for a solo familiarization flight. He proceeded to another airport and performed four landings, of which the last three were touch-and-go landings. During the fifth landing roll, the airplane departed the runway surface. The pilot was attempting to taxi the airplane back to the runway when the airplane contacted a 1-foot deep ditch and nosed over. The pilot had accumulated a total of 1.5 hours in the accident airplane at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 8, 2002, at 1600 central daylight time, a McClung Starduster SA-1 experimental airplane, N2XM, was substantially damaged when it encountered a ditch while taxing from landing at the Sherman Municipal Airport, Sherman, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Aero Country Airport, McKinney, Texas, approximately 1430. According to the pilot, he had recently purchased the airplane. He departed from the Aero Country Airport for a solo familiarization flight. He proceeded to the Sherman Municipal Airport and performed four landings on runway 16, of which the last three were touch-and-go landings. During the fifth landing roll, the airplane departed the runway on the west side. The pilot was attempting to taxi the airplane back to the runway when the airplane contacted a 1-foot deep ditch and nosed over. The pilot reported that the wind was from 100 degrees at 8-10 knots when the accident occurred. The pilot had accumulated a total of 1.5 hours in the Starduster SA-1 at the time of the accident. An FAA inspector reported that four ribs in one of the wings were damaged, and the vertical stabilizer and rudder were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2XM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2XM-2026-04-11), registration cancelled 2026-04-11, S/N B82F90, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: McClung Starduster SA-1 - Registry model: [Mcclung Pat STARDUSTER SA-100](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcclung-pat-starduster-sa-100) (registry code 8660430) (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: B82F90 - Airframe hours: 269.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ted B. Murray - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 4, 2002, 1.5 hours before - Departed: T31, McKinney, TX - Destination: T31 - Airport: SWI, Sherman Municipal, runway 16, 4,005 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 17, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 194 total, 2 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken ## 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 20020408005439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020408005439A), Apr 8, 2002: Amtr STARDUSTER*, Sherman, TX, No damage. (-23) On April 8, 2002, a starduster SA-1, lost control during landing on runway 16 at the Sherman Municipal Airport in Sherman, TX. The pilot lost control… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 19, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54486. 26 KB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40163211&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-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.