# NTSB ATL86FLT04: Lonnie W. Ratliff Midget Mustang MM-1, N121LR, Raymond, MS, November 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1985, 16:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Raymond, MS
- Location: 32.2610° N, 90.4090° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Raymond, MS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2610&lon=-90.4090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7002
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FLT04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7002/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FLT04

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - , pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS FORN LOCALLY AFTER THE PLT HAD 'WORKED ON' THE CARBURETOR SOME TIME LATER THE ACFT WAS SEEN MANEUVERING IN A 'NOSE-UP-NOSE DWN' ATTITUDE NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE UNTIL IT WENT INTO A SPIN. THE ACFT DISAPPEARED BEHIND TREES BEFORE WITNESSES HEARD THE SOUND OR IMPACT. THE PLT HAD ONLY RECORDED 1.5 HRS. IN THIS HOME BUILT ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N121LR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N121LR-1989-09-13), registration cancelled 1989-09-13, S/N 1210 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LONNIE W. RATLIFF MIDGET MUSTANG MM-1 (MIDGET MUS)
- Registry model: [Ratliff Lonnie W MM-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/ratliff-lonnie-w-mm-1) (registry code 1690516) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: M1-1210
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lonnie W. Ratliff
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 24, 1985, 2 hours before
- Departed: M16, RAYMOND, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 344 total, 270 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAN, 8 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 19851109066269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851109066269A), Nov 9, 1985: Amtrbb MUSTANGMIDGT, Raymond, MS, Substantial damage. Aircraft was seen nose low followed by nose high and spin. Impacted ground. No mechanical defects found.

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.

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