# NTSB WPR10LA069: Mahre Starduster SA300, N480DM, Zillah, WA, November 29, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 29, 2009, 15:12 local (23:12 UTC) - Place: Zillah, WA - Coordinates: 46.456111, -120.264442 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4561&lon=-120.2644&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75107 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75107/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75107 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA069 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during a low-altitude maneuver. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mahre STARDUSTER SA300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=8660268), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mahre STARDUSTER SA300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8660268), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Mahre STARDUSTER SA300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=8660268), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mahre STARDUSTER SA300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8660268), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was conducting a low-level, high-speed, pass over a remote control airplane airstrip. He stated that during the pass he pulled up and rolled the airplane. About halfway through the roll he lost sight of the horizon and stated that he "knew I was in trouble." The airplane impacted the ground shortly thereafter. Spectators at the airstrip reported that the pilot flew from southeast to northwest, and performed a fly-by approximately 20 to 30 feet above ground level. At the end of the airstrip, the airplane increased in altitude to about 100 feet and then entered a roll. No mechanical malfunctions were noted with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On November 29, 2009, at 1512 Pacific standard time, a Mahre Starduster SA300, N480DM, collided with terrain while maneuvering near Zillah, Washington. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. A witness, who was a remote control (RC) airplane pilot, was with several other RC airplane pilots at an airstrip that was used for RC airplane flying. According to the witness, the accident pilot was also a RC airplane pilot. The accident pilot had been planning on performing a fly-by in the accident airplane. The pilot overflew the airstrip about 1,200 to 1,500 feet above ground level. The witness assumed the pilot was checking that no RC airplanes were flying at the time. The pilot then returned, flying from southeast to northwest, and performed a fly-by approximately 20 to 30 feet above ground level. At the end of the airstrip, the airplane increased in altitude to about 100 feet and then entered a barrel roll to the right. The airplane lost altitude during the barrel roll and then impacted the ground. The witness reported that the winds were calm. The pilot submitted a written statement. He reported that he was conducting a low-level, high-speed, pass over an airstrip. During the pass, he pulled up and rolled the airplane. He stated that about halfway through the roll, he lost sight of the horizon and he knew that he was in trouble. The airplane impacted the ground shortly thereafter. The pilot additionally reported that his airman medical application had been denied in 2000 due to Parkinson’s disease. He had undergone a medical procedure for the disease and was working with the Federal Aviation Administration to reissue his airman medical certificate. The pilot reported approximately 11,700 hours total flight time, with 400 hours in the accident airplane. No mechanical malfunctions were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N480DM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N480DM-2013-02-11), registration cancelled 2013-02-11, S/N 1454, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mahre Starduster SA300 - Registry model: [Mahre STARDUSTER SA300](https://openairdocs.org/model/mahre-starduster-sa300) (registry code 8660268) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1454 - Airframe hours: 439 - Engines: Textron Lycoming GO-480-B1A6 274 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David Mahre - Registered owner: David Mahre - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 1, 2009, 13 hours before - Departed: YKM, Yakima, WA - Destination: YKM, Yakima, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review September 1, 1999; seat: rear; flight hours: 11,700 total, 400 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: YKM, 15 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 20091129051669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091129051669A), Nov 29, 2009: Mahre STARDUSTER, Zillah, WA, Substantial damage. On November 29, 2009 Mr. David r. Mahre was acting as pilot in command of N480DM, an experimental SA300 Starduster airplane. Witnesses at the bend field remote… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 12, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75107. 580 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 429 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323942&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation Witness (item 2, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325155&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Witness-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Accident Site (Provided by Fire Chief) (item 3, .PDF, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325156&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Accident%20Site%20(Provided%20by%20Fire%20Chief)-Master.PDF 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.