# NTSB CHI95LA197: Griner Bushby Mustang I, N30878, Shelbyville, IN, June 24, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 24, 1995, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Shelbyville, IN - Coordinates: 39.519153, -85.769699 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5192&lon=-85.7697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9924 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9924/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA197 ## Probable cause the pilot's allowing the airplane to inadvertently liftoff. A factor was a malfunction of the flight control system. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - lift-off - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - flight control surfaces/attachments - malfunction (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence ## Analysis AN INADVERTENT LIFT-OFF OCCURRED DURING A HIGH SPEED TAXI. THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTY IN CONTROLLING THE AIRPLANE WHICH REQUIRED FULL RIGHT AILERON AND FULL RIGHT RUDDER. HE FOUND THAT HIGH POWER SETTING AGGRAVATED THE SITUATION SO HE REDUCED POWER. HE ELECTED TO ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY, BUT WITH THE REDUCED POWER WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. HE THEN CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING IN A CROP FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE WENT THROUGH A FENCE. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION FAILED TO REVEAL THE NATURE OF THE CONTROL PROBLEM. CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED, BUT FULL TRAVEL OF CONTROLS WAS NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE FROM THE ACCIDENT. ## Factual narrative On June 24, 1995, at 0845 central daylight time, a homebuilt Bushby Mustang I, N30878, piloted by a private pilot, impacted the terrain one-quarter mile east of runway 27 (2,670' x 190' dry/turf) at Shelbyville, Indiana following the initial flight of the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed at 0840. The pilot stated that he did not intend to fly the airplane, but rather conduct high speed taxi tests on runway 36. He reported that the airplane became airborne and seemed controllable so he elected to continue the flight. During the climb he realized that the airplane required full right aileron and full right rudder to maintain level flight. He said he found that increasing the airspeed made the condition worse so he reduced power. He initially elected to land on runway 36; however, traffic on that runway prevented his doing so. He then continued, planning a landing on runway 27; however at the reduced power necessary to keep the airplane controllable, he realized that he would not make it to runway 27. He then elected to conduct a forced landing in a crop field one-quarter mile east of runway 27. On touchdown the airplane went through a fence. A post accident examination failed to reveal the nature of the control difficulties. Continuity was established; however, travel could not be verified due to the damage to the airframe. No other anomalies were noted in the control system of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30878](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30878-1997-01-22), registration cancelled 1997-01-22, S/N JG001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRINER BUSHBY MUSTANG I (BUSHBY MUS) - Registry model: [Griner John R BUSHBY MUSTANG I](https://openairdocs.org/model/griner-john-r-bushby-mustang-i) (registry code 1690522) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-J 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John R. Griner - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 3SM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 126 total, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 7 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: IND, 25 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 19950624017989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950624017989A), Jun 24, 1995: Amtrnb MUSTANGX, Shelbyville, IN, Substantial damage. Inadvertent liftoff on high speed toaxi test. Had trouble aileron rudder control. Hit fence landing. Control damage (-23) the pilot and owner of the home built… 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.