# NTSB MIA97LA157: Thacker Starduster TOO SA300, N14525, Lake Wales, FL, May 2, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 2, 1997, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Lake Wales, FL - Coordinates: 27.869071, -81.629051 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8691&lon=-81.6291&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38277 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38277/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA157 ## Probable cause failure of the tail wheel to lock in the centered detent during the beginning of the takeoff roll, which resulted in the pilot being unable to maintain directional control and the aircraft drifting off the runway and nosing over in the soft ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,tailwheel lock - not engaged (cause) - directional control - not possible - ground loop/swerve - Nose over, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, the aircraft drifted to the right, and application of left rudder did not correct the drift. The aircraft went off the right side of the runway, and the pilot aborted the takeoff. With application of left brake the aircraft nosed over in the soft ground. The pilot stated he had no mechanical difficulties with the aircraft and that he believed the tail wheel did not lock in the center detent during the start of the takeoff roll. ## Factual narrative On May 2, 1997, about 1415 eastern daylight time, a Thacker Starduster Too SA300, N14525, registered to an individual, nosed over during an aborted takeoff at Lake Wales Airport, Lake Wales, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight from Lake Wales to Jacksonville, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during takeoff on runway 6, the aircraft started drifting to the right while still at low speed. Application of left rudder did not correct the drift and the right main landing gear tire went off the edge of the runway. The aircraft was traveling at about 30 knots at this time. The aircraft continued to drift right and he aborted the takeoff. After closing the throttle he applied left brake and rudder in an attempt to turn the aircraft back onto the hard surface of the runway. Immediately upon application of the left brake the aircraft nosed over in the soft ground. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft and he believed that the tail wheel did not lock in the centered detent as he began his takeoff roll. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N14525](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14525), registered now, S/N 487, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Thacker STARDUSTER TOO SA300 (STARDUSTER) - Registry model: [Thacker STARDUSTER TOO SA300](https://openairdocs.org/model/thacker-starduster-too-sa300) (registry code 8660220) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-B2C5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-b2c5) (registry code 42338, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 487 - Airframe hours: 182 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Anthony G. Coleman - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1997, 3 hours before - Departed: X07 - Destination: 23J, JACKSONVILLE, FL - Airport: X07, Lake Wales, runway 6, 3,999 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 15,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LAL, 23 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 19970502009789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970502009789A), May 2, 1997: Amtr SA300, Lake Wales, FL, Substantial damage. Ran a wheel off runway on takeoff. Aborted. Tried return onto runway. Nosed over. Beleive tailwheel failed to lock. (-23) during an aborted 100 foot takeoff… 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.