# NTSB LAX92FA271: Holmes-Salley/Starduster Too SA300, N27BP, Chatsworth, CA, June 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1992, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Chatsworth, CA
- Coordinates: 34.280395, -118.609954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2804&lon=-118.6100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27439
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA271
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27439/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA271

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND AN INADVERTENT ENTRY INTO A STALL SPIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT AND A LOW CLOUD COVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD PURCHASED THE EXPERIMENTAL 'STARDUSTER TOO' SA 300 AIRPLANE ABOUT EIGHT DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HE HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 15 HOURS IN THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT AND A PILOT RATED PASSENGER DEPARTED AT 0831 HOURS UNDER A BROKEN TO OVERCAST CLOUD CONDITION TO AN AIRPORT ABOUT 30 MILES TO THE WEST FOR BREAKFAST. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE SPIRALING OR SPINNING OUT OF THE CLOUDS AND IMPACT MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE WITNESSES STATED THAT THE OVERCAST WAS ABOUT 100 TO 200 ABOVE THE TERRAIN AT THE 1900 FOOT MSL ACCIDENT SITE. PILOT REPORTS INDICATED THAT THE CLOUD TOPS WERE AROUND 3500 FEET MSL. THE WITNESSES ALSO STATED THAT THEY HEARD THE AIRPLANE FLYING BACK AND FORTH IN OR ABOVE THE CLOUDS JUST PRIOR TO SEEING IT SPIRALING OR SPINNING OUT OF THE CLOUDS. THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB WAS LOCATED IN THE FULL TAB DOWN POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27BP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27BP-1992-11-05), registration cancelled 1992-11-05, S/N 1648 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOLMES-SALLEY/STARDUSTER TOO SA300
- Registry model: [Holmes-Salley STARDUSTER SA-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/holmes-salley-starduster-sa-300) (registry code 8660279) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1648
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C1B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sammy Roth, Stacy Mamer
- Registered owner: Sammy Roth, Stacy Mamer
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1992, 18 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Destination: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,095 total, 15 in this make and model, 1,022 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 0° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Observed at: VNY, 10 nm away

## 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 19920630022629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920630022629A), Jun 30, 1992: Amtrso STARDUSTR300, Chatsworth, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed spinning out of low clouds to impact. Pilot IFR rated but homebuilt not IFR equipped.

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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