# NTSB MIA96LA156: Marcellus Star Fire, N2498, Umatilla, FL, May 12, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1996, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Umatilla, FL
- Coordinates: 28.919923, -81.659187 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9199&lon=-81.6592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38030
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38030/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA156

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of brakes on landing roll out resulting in a nose over.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated he made a wheel landing and landed a little fast. He applied brakes to slow the airplane down. The airplane nosed over and  came to a complete stop inverted.

## Factual narrative

On  May 12, 1996, about 1200 eastern daylight time, a Marcellus Star Fire, N2498, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on landing roll out at the Umatilla Municipal Airport, Umatilla, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Umatilla Municipal Airport about 30 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated he made a wheel landing and landed a little fast. He applied brakes to slow the airplane down. The airplane nosed over  and came to a complete stop inverted.

The accident was reported to the NTSB on  June 12, 1996.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2498](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2498), registered now, S/N 7242, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Marcellus STAR FIRE
- Registry model: [Marcellus STARDUSTER SA-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/marcellus-starduster-sa-300) (registry code 8660136) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 7242
- Airframe hours: 131
- Engines: Continental E-185-3 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael J. Costello
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1996, 19 hours before
- Departed: X-23
- Airport: X-23, Umatilla  Municipal, runway 36, 2,300 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 355 total, 32 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 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 19960512015919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960512015919A), May 12, 1996: Amtr STARFIRE, Umatilla, FL, Substantial damage. Made wheel landing. Applied brakes tail up. Nosed over.

## Other investigations on N2498 (2)

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 CHI07CA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA242), Jul 24, 2007: Marcellus Starduster SA-300 (N2498), Columbia, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent left main landing gear collapse.
- [NTSB MIA74FKG56](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74FKG56), Mar 9, 1974: Starduster II (N2498), Brooks, GA, 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.

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