# NTSB CHI04CA226: Devereux Mustang II, N44DX, Elkhart, IN, August 14, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 14, 2004, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Elkhart, IN - Coordinates: 41.719444, -86.001663 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7194&lon=-86.0017&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: South Bend, IN, FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60026 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA226 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60026/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA226 ## Probable cause The pilot not maintaining directional control during landing roll. A factor was the soft terrain, and the inadequate training in type aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - inadequate training - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The experimental amateur-built tailwheel airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain when it exited the runway and nosed over in the grass adjacent to the runway. The pilot's accident report stated, "I was able to maintain the center line until the tailwheel touched down. I had trouble keeping the plane under control. The plane veered toward the right of runway, went into the grass, hit a soft spot and went onto its nose." The pilot listed no mechanical malfunctions in reference to the airplane on that flight. The pilot's safety recommendation stated, "More training in type of plane. I have had several hours training in tailwheel but in slower planes." ## Factual narrative On August 14, 2004, about 1600 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Devereux Mustang II, N44DX, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain when it exited runway 27 and nosed over in the grass adjacent to runway 27 at the Elkhart Municipal Airport (EKM), near Elkhart, Indiana. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated from EKM at 1315 and was landing at the time of the accident. The pilot's accident report stated: The wheel landing itself was perfect (as described by others on the ground). I was able to maintain the center line until the tailwheel touched down. I had trouble keeping the plane under control. The plane veered toward the right of runway, went into the grass, hit a soft spot and went onto its nose. The pilot listed no mechanical malfunctions in reference to the airplane on that flight. The pilot's safety recommendation stated, "More training in type of plane. I have had several hours training in tailwheel but in slower planes." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44DX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44DX-2019-03-02), registration cancelled 2019-03-02, S/N 431, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Devereux Mustang II - Registry model: [Devereux Norman T M-II](https://openairdocs.org/model/devereux-norman-t-m-ii) (registry code 1690450) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 431 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Roderick D. Hill - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: EKM, Elkhart, IN - Destination: EKM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 5, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 569 total, 45 in this make and model, 502 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: EKM ## 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 20040814028029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040814028029A), Aug 14, 2004: Amtr BUSHBYMII, Elkhart, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft landed at ekm runway 27. Pilot stated that after the tail wheel touched the runway the plane veered to the right, ground looped and ended up in… ## Other investigations on N44DX (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI06CA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA270), Sep 21, 2006: Devereux Mustang II (N44DX), Auburn, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the left main landing gear attachment weld which resulted in the pilot's inablility to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. 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.