# NTSB CEN20LA375: Titan Mustang T-51, N153JW, Brighton, CO, September 2, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 2, 2020, 12:13 local (18:13 UTC) - Place: Brighton, CO - Coordinates: 39.99472, -104.71389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9947&lon=-104.7139&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern crosswind: 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): 101907 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA375 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101907/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101907 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA375 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of airplane control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern. ## 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: [Winders Jimmie L TITAN MUSTANG T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056320P), [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: [Winders Jimmie L TITAN MUSTANG T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=056320P), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/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 crosswind: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Winders Jimmie L TITAN MUSTANG T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056320P), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis After the initial takeoff, the pilot proceeded about 10 miles east of the airport. He subsequently returned a few minutes later and entered a right-hand traffic pattern and performed two touch and go landings. Video footage of the final touch-and-go appeared normal; no anomalies were noted. A witness reported that the airplane entered a right turn after the final takeoff and climbed to about 200 ft above ground level (agl). Shortly afterward, the airplane appeared to become “unstable” and “rolled over and entered into a spin.” Performance data indicated that after the final takeoff, the airplane climbed to about 175 ft above ground level and accelerated to about 90 mph (78 knots). Over the next 4 seconds, the airplane slowed to about 70 mph (61 knots). Shortly afterward, the airplane entered a gradual descent, and the airspeed continued to decay. In addition, the bank angle began to increase and subsequently exceeded 90°. A postrecovery examination did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. The engine, reduction gearbox, and propeller assembly exhibited damage consistent with the production of engine power at impact. The performance data revealed that the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall as the bank angle increased during the descent. The witness statement was consistent with an inadvertent aerodynamic stall from an altitude that did not allow for recovery before impact with the terrain. However, the reason for the preceding decay in airspeed could not be determined from the available information. ## Factual narrative The level flight, flaps up, maximum gross weight aerodynamic stall speed for the airplane was about 57 mph (50 knots). The stall speed increases as airplane bank angle increases. For example, in a constant altitude 45° bank turn the stall speed will increase about 20%; in a 60° bank angle turn the stall speed will increase about 44%. On September 2, 2020, at 1213 mountain daylight time, a Titan Mustang T-51 airplane, N153JW, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Brighton, Colorado. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. After takeoff the pilot proceeded about 10 miles to the east before returning to the airport and overflying the runway; he executed either a touch-and-go (landing and takeoff) or a low approach. He then entered a right-hand traffic pattern and completed a touch-and-go. Video footage of that touch-and-go indicated the pilot executed a normal approach and wheel landing. The subsequent takeoff appeared normal. No anomalies with respect to the airframe or engine were evident in the video. A witness reported the airplane entered a right turn after the final takeoff and climbed to about 200 ft above ground level (agl). Shortly afterward, the airplane appeared to become “unstable” and “rolled over and entered into a spin.” An airplane performance study based on the automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) data indicated that, after the final takeoff, the airplane climbed to about 5,200 ft mean sea level (175 ft agl) and accelerated to about 90 mph (78 knots). Over the next 4 seconds, the airplane slowed to about 70 mph (61 knots). Shortly afterward, the airplane entered a gradual descent as the airspeed continued to decay. The bank angle increased and ultimately exceeded 90°. The airplane impacted an open field about 0.60 nm northwest of the departure end of the runway. The Adams County Coroner's Office, Brighton, Colorado, performed an autopsy of the pilot. The pilot's cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. The FAA's Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicology testing on the pilot’s tissue samples, which identified amlodipine in liver and kidney tissue. Amlodipine is a prescription medication commonly used to control high blood pressure; it is not considered to be impairing. A postrecovery examination did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. The engine, reduction gearbox and propeller assembly exhibited damage consistent with the production of engine power at impact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N153JW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N153JW), registered now, S/N M09HV6COHK0153, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Titan Mustang T-51 - Registry model: [Winders Jimmie L TITAN MUSTANG T-51](https://openairdocs.org/model/winders-jimmie-l-titan-mustang-t-51) (registry code 056320P) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Honda CIVIC](https://openairdocs.org/engine/honda-civic) (registry code 33802, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: M09HV6COHK0153 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 244.3 - Engines: Honda J35A6 255 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 7, 2020 - Departed: CO12, Brighton, CO - Destination: CO12, Brighton, CO - Airport: CO12, Van Aire, runway 30, 3,700 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: fatal; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review September 26, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 18,600 total, 290 in this make and model, 2.2 in the last 90 days, 1.7 in the last 30 days, 0.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: DEN, 7 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 20200902014009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200902014009A), Sep 2, 2020: Winders Jimmie L TITAN MUSTANG T-51, Brighton, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On September 02, 2020, while conducting touch and goes at van aire airport (CO12) N153JW made a climbing right banking turn and impacted the ground one and a… ## Docket (12 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101907. 23.2 MB in all. - Plot of airplane position data (item 1, PDF, 5 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12158030&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Plot%20of%20Airplane%20Position%20Data-Rel.pdf - ADS-B data file (item 2, XLSX, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12051360&FileExtension=xlsx&FileName=ADSB%20Data%20File%20--%20CEN20LA375-Rel.xlsx - Witness statements (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12050940&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements_redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness video -- touch-and-go (item 4, MOV, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12051370&FileExtension=mov&FileName=Witness%20Video%20--%20Touch%20and%20Go-Rel.mov - Accident photos (item 5, PDF, 15 pages, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12051103&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20--%20CEN20LA375-Rel.pdf - Weather history -- kden / 02SEP2020 (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12051058&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WxHist%20~%20KDEN%20~%2002Sep2020-Rel.pdf - Airplane examination summary (item 7, PDF, 3 pages, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12051113&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airplane%20Examination%20Summary%20--%20N153JW-Rel.pdf - Aircraft performance study (item 8, PDF, 5 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12135544&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN20LA375_Performance_Study-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 9, PDF, 3 pages, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12051068&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Logbooks%20--%20N153JW_redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot logbook (item 10, PDF, 3 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12051217&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Logbook%20--%20Winders_redacted-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 11, PDF, 1 page, 169 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12050137&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tox%20Rpt%20--%20CEN20LA375_redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 12, PDF, 3 pages, 555 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12051433&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Release%20of%20Wreckage%20~%20N153JW_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. --- 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.