# NTSB LAX85LA288: Starduster II, N17RM, Glendale, AZ, June 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1985, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Glendale, AZ
- Location: 33.5387° N, 112.1860° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Glendale, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5387&lon=-112.1860&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24750
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA288
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24750/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA288

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - radio communications - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT CROSSED THE ARPT AT MIDFIELD AND MADE A LEFT TURN FOR A CLOSE IN DOWNWIND. WITNESSES ESTIMATED THAT HE MADE A 180 DEG DESCENDING TURN TO FINAL. WHILE ON FINAL THE PLT OBSERVED ANOTHER ACFT WHICH WAS ALREADY ON FINAL SLIGHTLY AHEADAND SLIGHTLY BELOW HIS ACFT. THE PLT PERFORMED A HARD PULL UP TO AVOID THE OTHER ACFT AND ALLOWED HIS ACFT TO STALL WITHOUT SUFFICIENT ALT TO EFFECT RECOVERY BEFORE GROUND IMPACT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17RM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17RM-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 1488, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STARDUSTER II
- Registry model: [Refsnes-Meade STARDUSTER TOO](https://openairdocs.org/model/refsnes-meade-starduster-too) (registry code 8660349) (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: 1488
- Airframe hours: 420
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph Refsnes
- Registered owner: Joseph Refsnes
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: P37, GLENDALE, AZ
- Airport: P37, Glendal Municipal, runway 17, 2,400 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,137 total, 11 in this make and model, 3,616 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850623026979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850623026979A), Jun 23, 1985: Amtrso STARDUSTER2, Glendale, AZ, Substantial damage. Stalled during attempted go around after overtaking unseen aircraft on final. Other aircraft not using radio.

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.

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