# NTSB ATL86LA234: Benham Midget Mustang M-1, N545JS, Rome, GA, August 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1986, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Rome, GA
- Coordinates: 34.240425, -85.170867 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2404&lon=-85.1709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7174
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7174/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA234

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED HE TOOK OFF TOO CLOSE BEHIND A PRECEDING ACFT AND WAS CAUGHT IN THE WING TIP VORTICIES. THE VORTICES COMBINED WITH A 110 DEG LEFT CROSSWIND (WIND 070/20 GUSTING HIGHER) RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND GROUND IMPACT. THE PLT SAID HE WAS IN A HURRY TO GET HOME BEFORE DARK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N545JS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BENHAM MIDGET MUSTANG M-1 (MIDGET MUS)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1001
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John E. Sims
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 1981
- Destination: EVANSVILLE, IN
- Airport: RMG, Richard B. Russell, runway 18, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; flight hours: 2,049 total, 310 in this make and model, 1,718 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 37 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 19860830044909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860830044909A), Aug 30, 1986: Amtrbb MUSTANGMIDGT, Rome, GA, Substantial damage. Takeoff was downwind and close to departing aircraft. Lost control in vortices and gusts. Wing hit. Cartwheeled.

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.