# NTSB ATL90DKG01: Pond Midget Mustang, N9WT, Cordele, GA, November 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1989, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Cordele, GA
- Coordinates: 31.960988, -83.770843 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9610&lon=-83.7708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8078
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90DKG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8078/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90DKG01

## Probable cause

IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS LOSS OF CONTROL.   HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRCRAFT WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - recovery from bounced landing - performed, pilot in command
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS MAKING HIS 1ST LANDING IN A HOME BUILT MIDGET MUSTANG, WHICH HE HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED.  DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT BOUNCED & THE PLT ELECTED TO GO AROUND.  WITNESSES RPRTD THAT THE ACFT ROLLED TO THE LEFT (TORQUE ROLLED) AS HE APPLIED FULL POWER, THEN CRASHED INVERTED BESIDE THE RWY.  NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9WT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9WT-1993-08-05), registration cancelled 1993-08-05, S/N 238 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: POND MIDGET MUSTANG (MIDGET MUS)
- Registry model: [Pond MIDGET MUSTANG I](https://openairdocs.org/model/pond-midget-mustang-i) (registry code 1690337) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 238
- Airframe hours: 225
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Randy A. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 27, 1989, 25 hours before
- Departed: 02J
- Airport: 02J, Crisp County, runway 9, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 125 total, 2 in this make and model, 125 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABY, 50 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 19891104044379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891104044379A), Nov 4, 1989: Amtrbb MUSTANGMIDGT, Cordele, GA, Destroyed. No check out in type and low pilot time bounced first landing stalled nose high and rolled inverted on go around.

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.