NYC06LA055

Factual narrative

On January 20, 2006, at 1707 eastern standard time, an amateur-built Starduster SA300, N1923S, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground, after takeoff from the Harford County Airport (0W3), Churchville, Maryland. The certificated commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight destined for the Martin State Airport (MTN), Baltimore, Maryland. A visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane after the accident, witnesses observed the airplane "climbing like a rocket" during takeoff from runway 28. As the airplane reached an altitude of approximately 70 feet, it banked to the left, then to the right, and then descended to the ground. The airplane impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed no mechanical deficiencies with the airframe or engine. The pilot failed to respond to numerous requests for his statement regarding the accident. The winds reported at an airport 18 miles to the southwest, at 1645, were from 110 degrees at 6 knots. Witnesses at the Harford Airport reported that at the time of the accident, there was a 5-8 knot, "90-degree crosswind" for runway 28. Witnesses observed the airplane "climbing like a rocket" during takeoff. As the airplane reached an altitude of approximately 70 feet, it banked to the left, then to the right, and then descended to the ground. The airplane impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical deficiencies with the airframe or engine. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12