# NTSB MKC90LA047: Burnett Starduster TOO, N4GB, Lawrence, KS, January 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1990, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Lawrence, KS
- Coordinates: 38.899379, -95.210746 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8994&lon=-95.2107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34926
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34926/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA047

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED CLEARANCE FROM TREE(S) NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  SUNGLARE, LACK OF VISUAL CUES TO THE PILOT, AND TREE(S).

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT SAID THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND HIS HOMEBUILT BIPLANE ON HIS PRIVATE STRIP, HE WAS BLINDED BY THE SETTING SUN AND FAILED TO CLEAR A TREE ON FINAL APPROACH. THE ACFT'S RIGHT WING STRUCK THE TREE, WHICH CAUSED THE ACFT TO YAW TO THE RIGHT & CRASH.  THE PLT SUFFERED A DAMAGED VERTEBRA, WHICH REQUIRED SURGERY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4GB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4GB-1990-03-29), registration cancelled 1990-03-29, S/N 100 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BURNETT STARDUSTER TOO (STARDUSTER)
- Registry model: [Burnett STARDUSTER TOO](https://openairdocs.org/model/burnett-starduster-too) (registry code 8660335) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 100
- Airframe hours: 130
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lburnett, Howard G.
- Registered owner: Burnett, Howard G
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: LWC, LAWRENCE, KS
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 21, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,800 total, 130 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IXD, 20 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 19900114000639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900114000639A), Jan 14, 1990: Amtrso STARDUSTER2, Lawrence, KS, Substantial damage. Struck a tree and crashed while turning final for Private strip. Pilot reported setting sun blinded him.

## Other investigations on N4GB (1)

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 MKC84LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA170), Jun 13, 1984: Stolp Starduster Starduster II (N4GB), Lawrence, KS, 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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