# NTSB GAA16CA010: Grosch Starduster TOO SA 30, N2RG, Lincoln, CA, October 4, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 4, 2015, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Lincoln, CA - Coordinates: 38.909168, -121.351112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9092&lon=-121.3511&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 December 17, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Sacramento FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 92143 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92143/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92143 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA010 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop, left main landing gear collapse, and the left wing striking the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grosch STARDUSTER TOO SA-30, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8660154), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grosch STARDUSTER TOO SA-30, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8660154), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Grosch STARDUSTER TOO SA-30, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=8660154), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Grosch STARDUSTER TOO SA-30, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=8660154), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Grosch STARDUSTER TOO SA-30, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8660154), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Grosch STARDUSTER TOO SA-30, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=8660154), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Grosch STARDUSTER TOO SA-30, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=8660154), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, he lost directional control and the airplane ground looped to the right. During the ground loop, the left main landing gear collapsed, the left wing impacted the runway, and the airplane stopped on the runway. The left wing sustained substantial damage. About the time of the accident at the airport, the wind was reported as 250 degrees true at 3 knots. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, he lost directional control and the airplane ground looped to the right. During the ground loop, the left main landing gear collapsed, the left wing impacted the runway, and the airplane stopped on the runway. The left wing sustained substantial damage. About the time of the accident at the airport, the wind was reported as 250 degrees true at 3 knots. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2RG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2RG), registered now, S/N 563, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GROSCH STARDUSTER TOO SA 30 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Grosch STARDUSTER TOO SA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/grosch-starduster-too-sa-30) (registry code 8660154) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (registry code 42389, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 563 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 12 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 19, 2015 - Departed: LHM, Lincoln, CA - Destination: LHM, Lincoln, CA - Airport: LHM, Lincoln Rgnl/Karl Harder Field, runway 15, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 83; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 6, 2014; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 622 total, 10 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.59 inHg - Observed at: KLHM ## 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 20151004018409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151004018409A), Oct 4, 2015: Grosch STARDUSTER TOO SA-30, Lincoln, CA, Substantial damage. Upon landing at Lincoln, CA (lhm) pilot experienced a violent cross wind gust causing the aircraft to ground loop. The resultant side force imparted onto the… ## Other investigations on N2RG (1) 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 GAA19CA436](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA436), Jun 28, 2019: Grosch Starduster TOO (N2RG), Lincoln, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, subsequent loss of directional control, runway excursion, and ground-loop. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92143. 990 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 878 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434924&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (FAA Inspector) (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 3, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434926&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-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.