# NTSB ERA12CA333: Luttenbacher Kurt Bushby Mustang 2, N58RS, Kingstree, SC, May 12, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 12, 2012, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Kingstree, SC - Coordinates: 33.716945, -79.854164 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7169&lon=-79.8542&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83618 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA333 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83618/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83618 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA333 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during the approach to landing, which resulted in a collision with terrain short of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luttenbacher Kurt BUSHBY MUSTANG 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1690664), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Luttenbacher Kurt BUSHBY MUSTANG 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=1690664), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luttenbacher Kurt BUSHBY MUSTANG 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=1690664), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Luttenbacher Kurt BUSHBY MUSTANG 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1690664), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Luttenbacher Kurt BUSHBY MUSTANG 2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1690664), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the accident flight was to familiarize himself with the recently purchased airplane. He conducted a few high-speed taxi runs before taking off to practice in the traffic pattern. After takeoff, the pilot turned downwind and set the airplane up for a full-stop landing. While on final approach, about 50 feet above a tree line, the airplane’s right wing dropped downward. The pilot attempted to level the wings but lost control, and the airplane collided with the ground short of the runway. Postaccident examination revealed that both wings were separated from the airplane and the fuselage was fragmented. According to the pilot, there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he had 1 hour of total flight experience in the accident make and model airplane. In a 2012 safety study on "The Safety of Experimental Amateur-Built Aircraft," the NTSB concluded that "purchasers of used [experimental amateur-built] (E-AB) aircraft face particular challenges in transitioning to the unfamiliar E-AB aircraft. Like builders of new E-AB aircraft, they must learn to manage the unique handling characteristics of their aircraft and learn the systems, structure, and equipment, but without the firsthand knowledge afforded to the builder." Thus, the NTSB recommended that the Federal Aviation Administration and the Experimental Aircraft Association "complete planned action to create a coalition of kit manufacturers, type clubs, and pilot and owner groups and (1) develop transition training resources and (2) identify and apply incentives to encourage both builders of experimental amateur-built aircraft and purchasers of used experimental amateur-built aircraft to complete the training that is developed." ## Factual narrative ***This report was modified on November 7, 2012. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** According to the pilot, this was an initial familiarization flight on the recently purchased airplane. He had conducted a few high speed taxi runs before departing into the pattern. After takeoff, he turned downwind and set the airplane up for a full stop landing. While on final approach, he descended to approximately 50 feet above a tree line when the right wing dropped downward. He attempted to level out the airplane, but lost control and collided with the ground short of the runway. The post accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that both wings were separated from the airplane and the fuselage was fragmented. According to the pilot, there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The wind conditions at the time of the accident were winds 170 degrees at 5 knots. In a 2012 safety study on "The Safety of Experimental Amateur-Built Aircraft," the NTSB concluded that "purchasers of used [experimental amateur-built] (E-AB) aircraft face particular challenges in transitioning to the unfamiliar E-AB aircraft. Like builders of new E-AB aircraft, they must learn to manage the unique handling characteristics of their aircraft and learn the systems, structure, and equipment, but without the firsthand knowledge afforded to the builder." Thus, the NTSB recommended that the Federal Aviation Administration and the Experimental Aircraft Association "complete planned action to create a coalition of kit manufacturers, type clubs, and pilot and owner groups and (1) develop transition training resources and (2) identify and apply incentives to encourage both builders of experimental amateur-built aircraft and purchasers of used experimental amateur-built aircraft to complete the training that is developed." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N58RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58RS-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N M2-1033, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUTTENBACHER KURT BUSHBY MUSTANG 2 - Registry model: [Luttenbacher Kurt BUSHBY MUSTANG 2](https://openairdocs.org/model/luttenbacher-kurt-bushby-mustang-2) (registry code 1690664) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: M2-1033 - Airframe hours: 162 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Schick Thomas Paul - Registered owner: Schick Thomas Paul - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 6, 2011 - Departed: CKI, Kingstree, SC - Destination: CKI, Kingstree, SC - Airport: CKI, Williamsburg Regional Airport, runway 14, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 11, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 3,723 total, 1 in this make and model, 3,271 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: FLO, 29 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 20120512008749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120512008749A), May 12, 2012: Luttenbacher Kurt BUSHBY MUSTANG 2, Kingstree, SC, Destroyed. This aircraft was purchased disassembled. It was transported to Williamsburg county airport (cki) in Kingstree, SC by the pilot. A local A&P mechanic who holds… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83618. 9.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368892&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation Grant (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368739&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Grant-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation FAA Giguere (item 3, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368893&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20FAA%20Giguere-Master.PDF - Front view of airplane (item 4, .PDF, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368740&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Front%20view%20of%20airplane-Master.PDF - Original Factual with Revisions (item 5, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381106&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Original%20Factual%20with%20Revisions-Master.PDF 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.