Amateur-built Starduster SA300 accident near Zillah, Washington, November 29, 2009
On November 29, 2009 at about 11:12 pm local time, a amateur-built Starduster SA300, registered N480DM, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Zillah, Washington. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during a low-altitude maneuver.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 29, 2009 · about 11:12 pm local time
- Place
- Zillah, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Starduster SA300
- Registration
- N480DM · registry record · serial 1454
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 11,700 hours in all; 400 in this make and model
- Last flight review: September 1, 1999
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 439 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, April 1, 2009; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,167 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Textron Lycoming GO-480-B1A6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: YKM Yakima WA at 11:00 pm
- Destination: YKM Yakima WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.30 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from YKM, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.