NTSB Factual Report

On April 8, 2002, at 1600 central daylight time, a McClung Starduster SA-1 experimental airplane, N2XM, was substantially damaged when it encountered a ditch while taxing from landing at the Sherman Municipal Airport, Sherman, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Aero Country Airport, McKinney, Texas, approximately 1430.

According to the pilot, he had recently purchased the airplane. He departed from the Aero Country Airport for a solo familiarization flight. He proceeded to the Sherman Municipal Airport and performed four landings on runway 16, of which the last three were touch-and-go landings. During the fifth landing roll, the airplane departed the runway on the west side. The pilot was attempting to taxi the airplane back to the runway when the airplane contacted a 1-foot deep ditch and nosed over. The pilot reported that the wind was from 100 degrees at 8-10 knots when the accident occurred.

The pilot had accumulated a total of 1.5 hours in the Starduster SA-1 at the time of the accident.

An FAA inspector reported that four ribs in one of the wings were damaged, and the vertical stabilizer and rudder were damaged.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadvertent use of unsuitable taxi terrain, which resulted in an encounter with a ditch while taxing from landing.