# NTSB DEN89LA088: Miller S.A.L. 2/3 Mustang, N51RM, Erie, CO, March 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1989, 17:45 local (Mar 19, 1989, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Erie, CO
- Coordinates: 40.019145, -105.040443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0191&lon=-105.0404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17683
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17683/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA088

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. SOFT UNEVEN TERRAIN WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A LOCAL FLT IN HIS HOMEBUILT 2/3 SCALE P-51 MUSTANG. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB FROM RWY 33, THE ENG SPUTTERED & QUIT. THE PLT SAID HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS & TRIED A RESTART, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE PLANE WAS LANDED IN A PLOWED FIELD WITH THE GEAR EXTENDED. AT TOUCHDOWN, THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE TERRAIN, THE PLANE CARTWHEELED & BOTH WINGS FOLDED OVER THE CANOPY. A POST ACCIDENT ENG INSPN BY THE OWNER & THE BUILDER FAILED TO REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE RPRTD ENG FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51RM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51RM-2004-01-16), registration cancelled 2004-01-16, S/N 92, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MILLER S.A.L. 2/3 MUSTANG (S.A.L. 2/3)
- Registry model: [Miller S.A.L. 2/3 MUSTANG](https://openairdocs.org/model/miller-s-a-l-2-3-mustang) (registry code 1690313) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 92
- Airframe hours: 200
- Engines: FAIRCHILD 6-440-C5 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dowell, Vaughn E.
- Registered owner: Dowell, Vaughn E
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 48V
- Destination: 48V
- Airport: 48V, Tri-County, runway 33, 5,280 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,641 total, 10 in this make and model, 6,573 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19890318004029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890318004029A), Mar 18, 1989: Amtrsg SALMUSTANG, Erie, CO, Substantial damage. Reported engine quit on climbout. Cartwheeled on forced landing folding both wings. Cause power loss undetermined.

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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