Amateur-built AERODUSTER SA750 accident near Columbus, Indiana, June 1, 1990
On June 1, 1990, a amateur-built AERODUSTER SA750, registered N85CH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Columbus, Indiana (Columbus Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 1, 1990
- Place
- Columbus, Indiana · Columbus Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AERODUSTER SA750 AERODUSTER
- Registration
- N85CH · registry record · serial SA-1
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING TAKEOFF ROLL. HE REPORTED THAT WHEN CONTROL WAS LOST, HE PROBABLY OVERCORRECTED WITH LEFT RUDDER DUE TO HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE (2.5 HOURS). THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND FLIPPED INVERTED IN THE GRASS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT LOCAL WINDS WERE CALM.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,160 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 580 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 48 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, March 28, 1990; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 5,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:45 pm from HUF, 61 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.