# NTSB DEN86FTE03: Homebuilt Bushby Mustang, N117RD, Casper, WY, September 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1986, 10:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Casper, WY
- Coordinates: 42.830062, -106.320106 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8301&lon=-106.3201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16854
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FTE03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16854/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FTE03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT ACFT CRASHED DURING LOW ALT MANEUVERS FROM ABOUT 150 FT AGL. A WITNESS WHO HELPED BUILD THE ACFT WAS TAKING PICTURES AND RECORDING DATA OF THE FLT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THIS WITNESS STATED THAT THE PLT ATTEMPTED AN AILERON ROLL. THE FIRST HALF OF THE ROLL WAS NORMAL BUT WHILE THE ACFT WAS INVERTED THE NOSE DROPPED BELOW THE HORIZON. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO ROLL WHILE TURNING ABOUT 30 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. THE PLT HAD ABOUT 50 HOURS IN THIS MODEL OF ACFT OF WHICH LESS THAN 20 HRS WAS AEROBATIC EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N117RD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N117RD-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N M-1-1235 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOMEBUILT BUSHBY MUSTANG (BUSHBY MUS)
- Registry model: [Durham Robert L BUSHBY MUSTANG M-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/durham-robert-l-bushby-mustang-m-1) (registry code 1690514) (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: M-1-1235
- Airframe hours: 49
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert L. Durham
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: CPR, CASPER, WY
- Destination: CPR, CASPER, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 448 total, 49 in this make and model, 337 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860921045469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860921045469A), Sep 21, 1986: Amtrbb MUSTANGMIDGT, Casper, WY, Destroyed. Experimental aircraft impacted ground after attempting aileron roll from a low altitude.

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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