# NTSB DEN08LA061: Hardy Midget Mustang M-1, N53041, Buena Vista, CO, February 23, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 23, 2008, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Buena Vista, CO - Coordinates: 38.814167, -106.120834 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8142&lon=-106.1208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 67617 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67617/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA061 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident was the gusty crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hardy Larry A M-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05604I0), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Hardy Larry A M-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05604I0), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Hardy Larry A M-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05604I0), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Maintenance: modification/alteration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Hardy Larry A M-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030/cases.md?model=05604I0), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Hardy Larry A M-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05604I0), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Hardy Larry A M-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05604I0), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hardy Larry A M-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05604I0), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said he started his takeoff roll on runway 33. When he reached 50 mph, he pushed the control forward stick to raise the tail. The airplane immediately swerved to the left and he corrected with right rudder. The airplane struck a snow bank along the right side of the runway and was substantially damaged. Recorded winds were from 270 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot had recently modified the airplane by repositioning the main landing gear. ## Factual narrative On February 23, 2008, approximately 1030 mountain standard time, a Hardy Midget Mustang M-1, N53041, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the pilot lost control and the airplane struck a snow bank on takeoff at Central Colorado Regional Airport (AEJ), Buena Vista, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a telephone interview with the pilot shortly after the accident, he said he started his takeoff roll on runway 33. When he reached 50 mph, he pushed the control forward stick to raise the tail. The airplane swerved to the left and the pilot corrected with right rudder. The airplane struck a snow bank along the right side of the runway, bounced over it, and came to rest facing south. Winds recorded by the AEJ Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS) were from 270 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot's accident report reflected this statement. He reported no flight control anomalies. Post-accident examination revealed the fuselage was buckled and the left main landing gear was bent aft, buckling the left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53041](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53041-2021-10-30), registration cancelled 2021-10-30, S/N 499, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hardy Midget Mustang M-1 - Registry model: [Hardy Larry A M-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/hardy-larry-a-m-1) (registry code 05604I0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200-A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-a) (registry code 17191, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 499 - Airframe hours: 12 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Larry A. Hardy - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2007, 12 hours before - Departed: AEJ, Buena Vista, CO - Destination: AEJ - Airport: AEJ, Central Colorado Regional, runway 33, 8,300 × 75 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; flight hours: 700 total, 12 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F ## 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 20080223011559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080223011559A), Feb 23, 2008: Amtr M1, Buena Vista, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) On February 23, 2008, at 1215 MST, an experimental-amateur built hardy larry a. midget mustang (M-1), registered to the pilot [privacy data omitted] was… 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.