Several witnesses reported seeing the Stolp Starduster SA-300 spiral to the ground near Newton, N.C.
A review of a video recorded by another witness revealed that, during the flight, the airplane entered a left spin and completed about seven revolutions before descending behind a treeline and hitting a wheat field, killing the pilot.A flight instructor reported that the pilot had been attempting to teach himself aerobatics in his experimental, amateur-built airplane before the accident and that he had provided the pilot one aerobatic lesson in the airplane.
The flight instructor noted that the pilot’s knowledge and skill level with spin entry and recovery were inadequate.
The pilot subsequently contacted the flight instructor on two more occasions and requested more training. The flight instructor agreed to do the training as long as it was performed in his airplane, however, the pilot would not agree to use the instructor’s airplane and did not receive further aerobatic training.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the pilot’s failure to recover from an intentional spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of adequate spin entry and recovery training.
NTSB Identification: ERA14FA256
This May 2014 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
A lot of Am-built biplanes have an aft CG problem anyway. Aggravate this with a solo occupant (aft seat only) you now have an issue that should be calculated out on the ground first. I have only flown a few factory craft that would ‘straighten themselves out in a spin recovery hands off. the old Champs and numerous other factory types needed attention to recover properly without spirally out faster than redline.
I can also see the instructor would only teach in his aircraft because he knows what it is capable to doing. The am-built is an unknown. Stolp’ Stardusters are one of the prettiest flying bi-planes built But, everyone of them requires a test pilot 1st and a sport pilot secondly. Sorry for the loss of life.
“Lets c now – was it opposite rudder and stick forward – I’ll check my I-Phone”! Self-Taught AEROBATICS – HELLO! !
TO LATE – would someone call 911?
He was never taught or heard of Beggs -Muller spin recovery…basically let go of every thing and with enough altitude the heavy end will eventually point down and fly out of spin with no inputs required..
Personally, I’ve never understood the attraction of aerobatics. And teaching yourself sure sounds like a recipe for disaster, as demonstrated by this article.
Seven revolutions before impact tells me he started way too low. In aerobatics, especially for a novice, altitude is your best friend. Lots of altitude. Assuming the W&B were correct on the aircraft, a Starduster is an easy plane to spin with a quick and easy recovery. The controls are more than adequate, so spin rotation and recovery from a fully developed spin is typically 1/4 – 1/2 a turn. Low level acrobatics only serves one purpose; to show off for ground observers, i.e., the person with the video camera.
Why learn aerobatics? Aerobatics will teach you early recognition of abnormal flight conditions and the correct reactions to those conditions. I flew amateur aerobatics in a Starduster for a number of years when I was much younger. I haven’t had an aircraft upside down in over 30 years now, and no longer have a lot of interest in doing so, but those skills developed 35 years ago have served me well over the years.
“The NTSB determined the probable cause as the pilot’s failure to recover”…I completely agree with CB….I’m guessin’ the real cause was an aft CG. Been there, done that, went flat, motor quit…it was real close. But that’s alright it’s much easier for the NTSB just to make the cause pilot error. Works every time since the guy isn’t here to defend himself. Politics…don’t ya just love it.