# NTSB ATL02LA016: Whitty, Philip J. Mustang II, N888PW, Hampstead, NC, December 4, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 4, 2001, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Hampstead, NC - Location: 34.3627° N, 77.7545° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hampstead, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB coordinates: 34.071666, -77.415557, outside the stated state - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3627&lon=-77.7545&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Greensboro FSDO - 05 - NTSB case key (mKey): 53902 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53902/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA016 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent nose over during landing roll. A factor was the soft, unsuitable terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis During cruise flight at 2000 feet, the engine lost power. The pilot noticed the fuel gauge read 15 psi. The pilot turned on the electric fuel boost pump, and the fuel system pressure increased to 20 psi. Attempts to restart the engine were not successful. The pilot executed a forced landing in a field clear of trees. During landing roll in the soft field, the airplane traveled less than 50 feet and nosed over. The airplane had departed with approximately 30 gallons of fuel. ## Factual narrative On December 4, 2001, at 1100 eastern standard time, a Philip Whitty Mustang II experimental airplane, N888PW, registered to a private owner, lost engine power and nosed over during a forced landing in Hampstead, North Carolina. The airplane was registered to and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from a private airstrip in Topsail, North Carolina, about 1000. The pilot departed the airport to perform maneuvers, including climbing and descending turns, slow flight, and approach to stall turns for about 50 minutes. While returning to the airport in cruise flight at 2,000 feet, the engine lost power. The pilot noticed the fuel gauge read 15 psi. The pilot turned on the electric fuel boost pump, and the fuel system pressure increased to 20 psi. Attempts to restart the engine were not successful. The pilot established a glide toward a field that was clear of trees and executed a forced landing. During landing roll in the soft field, the airplane traveled less than 50 feet, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The airplane had departed with approximately 30 gallons of fuel. Examination of the airplane revealed damage to the vertical stabilizer, propeller, cowling, canopy, and wing tips. Examination of the engine found no pre-existing discrepancies that would have contributed to the loss of engine power. The pilot reported previous problems starting the engine when it was hot. The post-accident examination of the engine also failed to disclose a mechanical problem. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N888PW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N888PW-2004-08-10), registration cancelled 2004-08-10, S/N 1699, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Whitty, Philip J. Mustang II - Registry model: [Whitty Philip MUSTANG II](https://openairdocs.org/model/whitty-philip-mustang-ii) (registry code 05610Z8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1699 - Airframe hours: 3 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Philip J. Whitty - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 2001, 2 hours before - Departed: PVT, Topsail, NC - Destination: PVT, Topsail, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 8, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 2 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: ILM, 23 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20011204034349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011204034349A), Dec 4, 2001: Hamstead, NC, No damage. (-23) The pilot states that he had approximately 32 gallons of fuel onboard at the time of departure. He stated that he had been flying for approximately 45… ## Other investigations on N888PW (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ATL04LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA003), Oct 3, 2003: Whitty Mustang II (N888PW), Holly Ridge, NC, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for a forced landing. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.