Undetermined · NTSB ERA09LA501
Keithley Thomas E Starduster Too — St. Matthews, SC
| Date | September 7, 2009 |
| Location | St. Matthews, SC |
| Aircraft | Keithley Thomas E Starduster Too (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Dusk · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Approach-VFR pattern final Abrupt maneuver |
| Pilot age | 47 |
| Pilot total time | 300 hrs · Low time |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 2 |
Probable cause
A loss of airplane control during approach for undetermined reasons.
NTSB findings
- Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C
What happened
According to a witness, while on final approach at 200 to 300 feet above ground level, the nose of the airplane suddenly pitched up as if in a climbing right turn. Shortly thereafter, the airplane's right wing dipped and the airplane made a sharp 180 degree turn, followed by the sound of an impact. The airplane sustained substantial damage as a result of the postcrash fire. Neither flight control continuity nor engine continuity could be confirmed due to the postcrash fire.