# NTSB MKC85LA081: Ehlers Starduster ESA300, N11HE, Kansas City, MO, April 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1985, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Kansas City, MO
- Coordinates: 39.210292, -94.510772 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2103&lon=-94.5108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33927/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA081

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, landing - roll
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - failure,total
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL HE NOTICED AN ACFT LANDING BEHIND HIS AND THEREFORE VEERED HIS ACFT TO THE RIGHT OF RWY 36 TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH. DURING THE MANEUVER THE PLT FELT THE RIGHT GEAR GIVE AND THE ACFT CONSEQUENTLY GROUND LOOPED TWICE TO THE RIGHT RESULTING IN THE COLLAPSE OF THE RIGHT WING AND GEAR. THE RIGHT STRUT ATTACHMENT BOLT WAS FOUND ON RWY 36 AND SHOWED SIGNS OF SEPARATION DUE TO TENSION LOADS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11HE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11HE-2012-09-05), registration cancelled 2012-09-05, S/N 1, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EHLERS STARDUSTER ESA300 (STARDUSTER)
- Registry model: [Ehlers STARDUSTER ESA300](https://openairdocs.org/model/ehlers-starduster-esa300) (registry code 8660251) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435) (registry code 41516, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 175
- Engines: LYCOMING O-435-1 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sean Mac Gregor
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 1984, 11 hours before
- Departed: DSM, DES MOINES, IA
- Destination: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO
- Airport: MKC, Kansas City Downtown, runway 36, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,700 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKC

## 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 19850401009979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850401009979A), Apr 1, 1985: Amtrso STARDUSTR300, Kansas City, MO, Substantial damage. Veered to right, ground looped, right main collapsed. Right strut attachment bolt broken due to tension load.

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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