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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 1, 2009 · Stirling Starduster · N1XY

Earlham, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 1, 2009
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Earlham, IA
Aircraft
Stirling Starduster
Tail Number
N1XY
Operator
Price James F
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN09LA492

According to a sheriff’s incident report, a witness observed the experimental amateur-built biplane perform a roll and then enter into a loop. The report indicated that, as “the plane was coming out of the loop, it did not have enough altitude and that is when it struck the ground." The airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted a field. An examination of the airplane wreckage revealed no mechanical anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On August 1, 2009, about 1857 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Stirling Starduster biplane, N1XY, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a field following low level maneuvers near Earlham, Iowa. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The private pilot received serious injuries. The local personal flight originated at time unknown. According to a Dallas County Sheriff’s incident report, a witness observed the airplane perform a roll and then attempted to perform a loop. The report indicated that as “the plane was coming out of the loop, it did not have enough altitude and that is when it struck the ground.” The pilot held a private pilot certificate. His last application for a medical certificate was on October 31, 2005, and on that application he indicated that he had accumulated 900 hours of total flight time. N1XY was an experimental amateur-built Stirling Starduster single-engine, propeller-driven, fixed tailwheel, two-seat, biplane. According to registration and airworthiness records, the biplane was powered by a 180-horsepower Lycoming O-360-A4A engine, serial number L-26691-36A and it drove a Sensenich 78 EM8 fixed pitch propeller. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no mechanical anomalies. The pilot was sent an accident report form and a completed one has not been received by the NTSB.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:57 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftStirling Starduster
Tail NumberN1XY
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPrice James F
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · None · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time23:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data