# NTSB NYC88LA205: Cocks Starduster SA-300, N34BC, Stormville, NY, August 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1988, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Stormville, NY
- Coordinates: 41.540996, -73.730339 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5410&lon=-73.7303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36201
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36201/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA205

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway marking - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A STARDUSTER SA-300 WAS ON A LOCAL FLIGHT WHEN HE LANDED AT AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT WHICH HAD BEEN NOTAMED CLOSED AND HAD AN X ON THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SAID A VEHICLE OBSCURED THE APPROACH END DURING THE APPROACH AND THEN LEFT THE RUNWAY. HE SAID HE DID NOT OBSERVE THE X ON THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED RIGHT AND STRUCK A VEHICLE PARKED NEXT TO THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT HAD NOT OBTAINED A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE X USED ON THE RUNWAY WAS 2 FT WIDE AND 16 FT LONG, MUCH SMALLER THAN RECOMMENDED BY THE FAA. THREE OTHER AIRCRAFT ALSO LANDED AT THE SAME AIRPORT WHILE THE RUNWAY WAS MARKED WITH THE X.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34BC-2013-10-25), registration cancelled 2013-10-25, S/N 1750, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: COCKS STARDUSTER SA-300 (STARDUSTER)
- Registry model: [Cocks Bert E STARDUSTER SA 300](https://openairdocs.org/model/cocks-bert-e-starduster-sa-300) (registry code 8660608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1750
- Airframe hours: 36
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bert E. Cocks
- Registered owner: Herbert E Cocks
- Departed: NG3, MONTGOMERY, NY
- Airport: N69, Stormville, runway 24, 3,320 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 16,004 total, 454 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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