# NTSB CHI86FET03: Edward R. Merkner MUSTANG-II, N9021A, Valparaiso, IN, June 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1986, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Valparaiso, IN
- Coordinates: 41.470592, -87.050666 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4706&lon=-87.0507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13337
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FET03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13337/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FET03

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER THREE APPARENT HARD TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED ON THE FOURTH & FINAL LANDING. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OF THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9021A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9021A-1992-04-24), registration cancelled 1992-04-24, S/N 467 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EDWARD R. MERKNER MUSTANG-II
- Registry model: [Merkner Edward R MUSTANG-II](https://openairdocs.org/model/merkner-edward-r-mustang-ii) (registry code 1690460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 467
- Airframe hours: 52
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward R. Merkner
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1986, 3 hours before
- Airport: VPZ, Porter County Muni, runway 35, 1,800 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,230 total, 52 in this make and model, 1,170 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 12 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GYY, 27 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 19860616037739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860616037739A), Jun 16, 1986: Amtrbb MUSTANG2, Valparaiso, IN, Minor damage. Landing gear collapsed during the fourth hard landing made by the pilot that day. Damage not reported by pilot.

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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