# NTSB CHI89DEE04: Renninger Mustang II, N11WR, Kirkland, IL, June 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1989, 12:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Kirkland, IL
- Coordinates: 42.090732, -88.849212 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0907&lon=-88.8492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14185
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEE04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14185/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEE04

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION (POSSIBLY FROM VAPOR LOCK), WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF GROUND CLEARANCE DURING A FINAL TURN TO LAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - ground
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ABOUT 25 MIN AFTER LNDG FROM A PREVIOUS FLT, THE PLT TOOK OFF TO PRACTICE TAKEOFFS & LNDGS ON RWY 18.  HE CLIMBED ABOUT 1200' & TURNED ONTO A CROSSWIND LEG.  AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE PLT TRIED TO LAND ON RWY 27, BUT HE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ALT & SPEED.  AS HE WAS COMPLETING A TURN TOWARD THE RWY, A WING TIP CONTACTED THE GRND & THE ACFT CRASH LANDED.  THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP ON THE RWY.  THE PLT SAID HE THEN TURNED THE FUEL SELECTOR OFF, BUT ABOUT 4 TO 5 MIN LATER, A FIRE ERUPTED, WHICH HE WAS UNABLE TO EXTINGUISH WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.  NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND.  THE ACFT HAD BEEN SVCD WITH AUTO FUEL, WHICH CONTAINED A LOWER VAPOR PRESSURE THAN AVIATION FUEL & WAS MORE VULNERABLE TO VAPOR LOCK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11WR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11WR), registered now, S/N 448, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RENNINGER MUSTANG II
- Registry model: [Renninger MUSTANG II](https://openairdocs.org/model/renninger-mustang-ii) (registry code 0562954) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 448
- Airframe hours: 375
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul E. Rivers
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 1988, 67 hours before
- Airport: Bunger Airfield, runway 27, 2,400 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 71 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARR, 30 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 19890625017349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890625017349A), Jun 25, 1989: Amtrbb MUSTANG2, Kirkland, IL, Destroyed. Lost power. Crashed trying for second runway after overshoot of first choice.

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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