National Transportation Safety Board

Aviation Accident Final Report

Location: Senoia, Georgia Accident Number: ERA20CA128

Date & Time: March 7, 2020, 12:40 Local Registration: N529FM
Stolp Starduster ACRODUSTER II
Aircraft: Aircraft Damage: Substantial
SA750
Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted
Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Under:

Analysis

The pilot reported that, while performing aerial stunts for a local children's party, the airplane struck a
tree, and he then lost control of the airplane. He maneuvered the airplane over a street, and it struck
another tree and then impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both
wings, and the empennage. A Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the airplane after
the accident confirmed flight control continuity and reported no anomalies with the flight controls.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's failure to see and avoid trees while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a loss of
airplane control.

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Findings
Personnel issues Monitoring environment - Pilot
Aircraft Altitude - Not attained/maintained
Aircraft (general) - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues Tree(s) - Effect on operation

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Factual Information

History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event (Defining event)
Maneuvering Loss of control in flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information
Certificate: Private Age: 62,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land Seat Occupied: Unknown
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Last FAA Medical Exam: September 7, 2001
waivers/limitations
Occupational Pilot: No Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Stolp Starduster Registration: N529FM
Model/Series: ACRODUSTER II SA750 No Aircraft Category: Airplane
Series
Year of Manufacture: 1998 Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special) Serial Number: 302
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel Seats: 5
Date/Type of Last Inspection: Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection: Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Engine Model/Series: IO360 SER A&C
Registered Owner: Rated Power:
Operator: On file Operating Certificate(s) None
Held:

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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: FFC,798 ft msl Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 12:53 Local Direction from Accident Site: 342°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots / Turbulence Type None / None
Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 350° Turbulence Severity N/A / N/A
Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.45 inches Hg Temperature/Dew Point: 12°C / -4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Senoia, GA (64GA) Type of Flight Plan Filed: Unknown
Destination: Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information
Airport: Big 'T' 64GA Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 900 ft msl Runway Surface Unknown
Condition:
Runway Used: IFR Approach: None
Runway VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing
Length/Width:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Aircraft Fire: None
Injuries:
Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft None
Explosion:
Total Injuries: 1 Minor Latitude, 33.283332,-84.538887(est)
Longitude:

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Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC):
Additional Participating
Persons:
Original Publish Date:
Note:
Investigation Docket:
Gutierrez, Eric
Ron Rakestraw; FAA / FSDO; Atlanta, GA
June 29, 2020
This accident report documents the factual circumstances of this accident as described
to the NTSB.
https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101081

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), established in 1967, is an

independent federal agency mandated by Congress through the
Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 to investigate transportation
accidents, determine the probable causes of the accidents, issue safety
recommendations, study transportation safety issues, and evaluate the
safety effectiveness of government agencies involved in transportation. The
NTSB makes public its actions and decisions through accident reports,
safety studies, special investigation reports, safety recommendations, and
statistical reviews.

The Independent Safety Board Act, as codified at 49 U.S.C. Section 1154(b),

precludes the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report
related to an incident or accident in a civil action for damages resulting from
a matter mentioned in the report. A factual report that may be admissible
under 49 U.S.C. § 1154(b) is available here.

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