# NTSB DEN87DTK01: Bushby Mustang II, N44TA, Aberdeen, SD, August 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1987, 19:29 local (Aug 21, 1987, 00:29 UTC)
- Place: Aberdeen, SD
- Coordinates: 45.460746, -98.480964 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4607&lon=-98.4810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17072
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87DTK01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17072/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87DTK01

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - window,canopy - separation (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT PERFORM TWO SNAP ROLLS. DURING THE SECOND SNAP ROLL SOMETHING CAME OFF THE AIRCRAFT AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE ACFT THEN BECAME INVERTED AND DESCENDED UNTIL IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A NEAR VERTICAL, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE ACFT CANOPY WAS FOUND ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. THE LIST OF OPERATING LIMITATONS ATTACHED TO THE AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE FOR THIS ACFT STATES INTENTIONAL AEROBATIC FLIGHT WAS PROHIBITED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44TA-1989-03-02), registration cancelled 1989-03-02, S/N 184 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BUSHBY MUSTANG II
- Registry model: [Thuss BUSHBY MUSTANG II](https://openairdocs.org/model/thuss-bushby-mustang-ii) (registry code 1692166) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 184
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Loren E. Lomis
- Registered owner: Loren E Lomis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 1987, 1,495 hours before
- Departed: ABR, ABERDEEN, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,150 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABR, 6 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 19870820046789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870820046789A), Aug 20, 1987: Amtrbb MUSTANG2, Aberdeen, SD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. While performing acrobatic maneuvers the canopy separated from aircraft. Caused an inverted loop. Crashed.

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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