# NTSB LAX03CA301: Starduster SA300, N1698, Quincy, CA, September 27, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 27, 2003, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Quincy, CA - Coordinates: 39.943889, -120.945274 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9439&lon=-120.9453&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 58071 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA301 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58071/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA301 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a ground loop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - light condition - sunglare - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane ground looped during landing; the left wing impacted the ground and the left main gear collapsed. During touchdown on runway 06 the pilot lost visual contact with the runway as the tail wheel touched down, due to the angle of the sun and the effects of sun glare. He attempted to add brakes sooner than normal and the right brake locked. He was unable to regain control by using the left brake and the airplane ground looped. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot said that he should have gone around and landed on runway 24 to prevent the sun glare from interfering with his vision. ## Factual narrative On September 27, 2003, at 0800 hours Pacific daylight time an experimental Starduster SA300 airplane, N1698, veered off of the runway during landing at Gansner Field (201), Quincy, California. The airplane was registered to and being operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left main landing gear. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Chino about 0720 for the personal cross-country flight. The pilot reported in a written statement that the en route portion of the flight was uneventful. During touchdown on runway 06 he lost visual contact with the runway as the tail wheel touched down, due to the angle of the sun. He attempted to add brakes sooner than normal and the right brake locked. He was unable to regain control by using the left brake and the airplane ground looped. The left wing impacted the ground and the left main gear collapsed. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot said that he should have gone around and landed on runway 24 to prevent the sun glare from interfering with his vision. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1698](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1698), registered now, S/N FM-1, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Starduster SA300 - Registry model: [Starduster SA-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/starduster-sa-300) (registry code 86601MP) (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: FMI - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kevin Spafford - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 201, Gansner Field, CA - Airport: 201, Gansner Field, runway 060 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 384 total, 50 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20030927026809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030927026809A), Sep 27, 2003: Amtr STARDUSTER2, Quincy, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Lost control on landing at 2O1. Ground looped causing substantial damage. 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.