# NTSB CEN20LA134: Muse P51D, N151JD, Mesquite, TX, March 29, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 29, 2020, 15:18 local (20:18 UTC)
- Place: Mesquite, TX
- Coordinates: 32.761943, -96.515556
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7619&lon=-96.5156&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101126/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101126
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA134

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadvertent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Joseph D Muse P51D EXPERIMENTAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05635HW), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Joseph D Muse P51D EXPERIMENTAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05635HW), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Joseph D Muse P51D EXPERIMENTAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05635HW), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Joseph D Muse P51D EXPERIMENTAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05635HW), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Joseph D Muse P51D EXPERIMENTAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05635HW), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Witnesses reported that the pilot took off and turned to a right crosswind in the traffic pattern, followed shortly thereafter by a turn to downwind. The airplane then entered a gradually steepening right turn before transitioning to a steep nose down attitude which continued to impact with terrain. Automated Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed that the airplane entered a right traffic pattern after takeoff and leveled off about 1,800 ft mean sea level (msl) on a crosswind leg before beginning a turn to a downwind leg. The airplane subsequently entered a steep, descending right turn until impact. The average descent rate over the last 6 seconds of the flight was about 6,000 ft per minute. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and the postaccident fire. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. However, the examination was limited by the extent of the impact and postimpact fire damage. For the accident flight, the pilot had planned to proceed to the practice area to conduct airwork; however, he elected to remain in the airport traffic pattern for unknown reasons. Full right rudder trim was set before takeoff in order to counteract engine torque. Based on the available information, the pilot inadvertently entered an aerodynamic stall from which he was unable to recover. The yaw induced by the full right rudder trim aggravated the stall and made recovery more difficult. The reason for the loss of control could not be determined with the available information.

## Factual narrative

On March 29, 2020, at 1518 central daylight time, a Muse P51D airplane, N151JD, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Mesquite, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Witnesses reported that the pilot took off and turned to a right crosswind in the traffic pattern, followed shortly thereafter by a turn to downwind. The airplane then entered a gradually steepening right turn before transitioning to a steep nose down attitude which continued until impact with terrain. A review of Automated Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed that the airplane entered a right traffic pattern after takeoff and leveled off about 1,800 ft mean sea level (msl) on crosswind before beginning a turn to downwind. About 1518:47, the airplane entered a descending right turn from about 1,700 ft msl. The final data point was recorded at 1518:53; the altitude was about 900 ft msl. The average descent rate over the last 6 seconds of data was approximately 8,000 ft per minute. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. However, the examination was limited by the extent of the impact and postimpact fire damage. Toxicology testing performed at the Federal Aviation Administration Forensic Sciences Laboratory found no drugs of abuse. The owner/builder reported the accident occurred during the third flight of the airplane. The plan was for the pilot to conduct airwork in the local area and to gather data to assist in determining airplane fuel consumption. After the second flight, the pilot informed the builder that he had inadvertently moved the fuel selector to the OFF position while attempting to change tanks. He was able to correct the situation and had no further difficulties. A friend of the pilot reported that the pilot had cut the second flight short because continuous right rudder input was required. For the accident flight, the pilot took off with full right rudder trim to counter act the right turning tendency.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N151JD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N151JD-2022-05-21), registration cancelled 2022-05-21, S/N F869, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MUSE P51D
- Registry model: [Joseph D Muse P51D EXPERIMENTAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/joseph-d-muse-p51d-experimental) (registry code 05635HW) (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: F869
- Year built: 2016
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: Chevrolet LS1 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, March 1, 2020, 2 hours before
- Departed: HQZ, Mesquite, TX
- Destination: HQZ, Mesquite, TX
- Airport: HQZ, Mesquite Metro, runway 36, 6,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review August 3, 2018; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,814 total, 1.3 in this make and model, 1,807 as pilot in command, 4.8 in the last 90 days, 2.2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: HQZ, 1 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 20200329006709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200329006709A), Mar 29, 2020: Joseph D Muse P51D EXPERIMENTAL, Mesquite, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On 03/29/2020, at approximately 1516, N151JD, an experimental amateur-built 2/3 scale replica of a P-51D, powered by a chevrolet LS-1 engine running avgas,…

## Docket (15 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 24, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101126. 818 MB in all.

- Witness statements (item 1, PDF, 5 pages, 699 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11532452&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Stmts%20--%20CEN20LA134_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Owner/builder statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11532926&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20Joseph%20Muse%20--%2013Apr2020-Rel.pdf
- Airport manager statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11532357&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20Eric%20Pratt%20--%2030Mar2020-Rel.pdf
- Video -- accident takeoff (item 4, MOV, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11533050&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=Video%20--%20Takeoff%20(GaylaMaas)-Rel.MOV
- Plot of airplane position data (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 635 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11856345&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Plot%20of%20Airplane%20Position%20Data-Rel.pdf
- Accident photos (item 6, PDF, 12 pages, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11536908&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20--%20CEN20LA134-Rel.pdf
- Accident investigation summary (item 7, PDF, 3 pages, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11859202&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Summary%20--%20CEN20LA134-Rel.pdf
- Airplane examination summary (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11796942&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Summary%20--%20CEN20LA134-Rel.pdf
- Airplane performance plots (item 9, PDF, 3 pages, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11850588&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airplane%20Performance%20Plots%20--%20CEN20LA134-Rel.pdf
- Maintenance records -- airframe (item 10, PDF, 13 pages, 385 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11531249&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Documentation%20--%20Airframe_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Maintenance records -- engine (item 11, PDF, 8 pages, 251 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11858883&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Documentation%20--%20Engine_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Maintenance records -- propeller (item 12, PDF, 4 pages, 171 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11858389&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Documentation%20--%20Propeller_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Maintenance records -- weight & balance (item 13, PDF, 1 page, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11532036&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Documentation%20--%20Weight%20%26%20Balance_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Weather observations -- mesquite metro airport (khqz) (item 14, PDF, 1 page, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11536395&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WxHist%20~%20KHQZ-Rel.pdf
- Toxicological report (item 15, PDF, 1 page, 590 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11544758&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Toxicology%20Rpt%20--%20James%20L%20Ireland_redacted-Rel.pdf

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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