# NTSB GAA15CA185: Barron Starduster SA 300, N5618, Whiteville, NC, July 12, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 12, 2015, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Whiteville, NC - Coordinates: 34.274444, -78.713058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2744&lon=-78.7131&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Greensboro FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91561 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91561/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91561 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA185 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion and a collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Barron STARDUSTER SA-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8660184), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Barron STARDUSTER SA-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8660184), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Barron STARDUSTER SA-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=8660184), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Barron STARDUSTER SA-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8660184), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Barron STARDUSTER SA-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8660184), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Barron STARDUSTER SA-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8660184), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during landing, the airplane bounced "significantly" and he added power to go-around. During the go-around, the pilot reported that he bounced again because he was "slow to get the nose up." Subsequently, the airplane veered to the right, departed the runway, and came to rest in the grass next to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during landing, the airplane bounced "significantly" and he added power to go-around. During the go-around, the pilot reported that he bounced again because he was "slow to get the nose up." Subsequently, the airplane veered to the right, departed the runway, and came to rest in the grass next to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5618](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5618-2016-08-09), registration cancelled 2016-08-09, S/N 887, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BARRON STARDUSTER SA 300 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Barron STARDUSTER SA-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/barron-starduster-sa-300) (registry code 8660184) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-470-L](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-470-l) (registry code 17348, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 887 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 280 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 6, 2014 - Departed: None, Delco, NC - Destination: CPC, WHITEVILLE, NC - Airport: CPC, Columbus County Muni, runway 24, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 14, 2013; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,300 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 18.2 in the last 90 days, 9.6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KCPC ## 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 20150712009259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150712009259A), Jul 12, 2015: Barron STARDUSTER SA-300, Whiteville, NC, Destroyed. Pilot intended to do practice touch and go maneuvers and on touchdown, loss control and veered off the runway into a field. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91561. 1.3 MB in all. - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 1, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431640&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Overview of Airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431641&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Overview%20of%20Airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.