# NTSB ERA15CA264: Haphey Bruce Frederic Mustang II, N59PB, Palatka, FL, July 11, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 10, 2015, 21:45 local (Jul 11, 2015, 01:45 UTC) - Place: Palatka, FL - Coordinates: 29.658611, -81.688331 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6586&lon=-81.6883&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91543 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91543/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91543 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA264 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a balked landing and attempted go-around in dark night conditions and without a landing light, which resulted in collision with terrain. ## 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: [Haphey Bruce Frederic MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=16906B5), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Haphey Bruce Frederic MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=16906B5), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Haphey Bruce Frederic MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=16906B5), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Haphey Bruce Frederic MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=16906B5), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Lighting system: exterior lighting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023340): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not installed/available (probable cause); cases with it: [Haphey Bruce Frederic MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023340/cases.md?model=16906B5), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023340/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Haphey Bruce Frederic MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=16906B5), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Haphey Bruce Frederic MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=16906B5), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Haphey Bruce Frederic MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=16906B5), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a cross country flight, the pilot of the experimental amateur built airplane encountered thunderstorms along his route. This added an additional 45 minutes of unanticipated flight time. He was concerned that night conditions were present, his airplane was not equipped with a landing light, and his destination airport was not lighted; as a result, he decided to divert to another airport which was equipped with lighting and had a longer paved runway. During his first attempt to land at the diversion airport, he was too fast on final approach and elected to go-around. During his second attempt to land, he misjudged his rate of descent and landed hard. The airplane then bounced twice. After the second bounce, he attempted to recover and go-around by adding full power and right rudder but the airplane entered a left roll, struck the ground with its left wingtip, and then cartwheeled, separating the engine before coming to rest inverted. During his egress from the airplane, the pilot received minor injuries. Examination of the airplane revealed that it was substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative During a cross country flight, the pilot of the experimental amateur built airplane encountered thunderstorms along his route. This added an additional 45 minutes of unanticipated flight time. He was concerned that night conditions were present, his airplane was not equipped with a landing light, and his destination airport was not lighted; as a result, he decided to divert to another airport which was equipped with lighting and had a longer paved runway. During his first attempt to land at the diversion airport, he was too fast on final approach and elected to go-around. During his second attempt to land, he misjudged his rate of descent and landed hard. The airplane then bounced twice. After the second bounce, he attempted to recover and go-around by adding full power and right rudder but the airplane entered a left roll, struck the ground with its left wingtip, and then cartwheeled, separating the engine before coming to rest inverted. During his egress from the airplane, the pilot received minor injuries. Examination of the airplane revealed that it was substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N59PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59PB-2018-08-10), registration cancelled 2018-08-10, S/N 1276 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HAPHEY BRUCE FREDERIC MUSTANG II - Registry model: [Haphey Bruce Frederic MUSTANG II](https://openairdocs.org/model/haphey-bruce-frederic-mustang-ii) (registry code 16906B5) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1276 - Year built: 1992 - Airframe hours: 262.35 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 15, 2014, 65 hours before - Departed: 79J, Andalusia, AL - Destination: 7FL4, Green Cove, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 28J, Palatka Municipal Airport, runway 9, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,985.7 total, 34.2 in this make and model, 26.2 in the last 90 days, 20.6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 270° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: 28J ## 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 20150710012919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150710012919A), Jul 10, 2015: Haphey Bruce Frederic MUSTANG II, Palatka, FL, Destroyed. PIC was flying the airplane into the Palatka airport 28J to have scheduled maintenance done. During the first approach to runway 9 the pilot executed a missed… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 31, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91543. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 758 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430194&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot in Command (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430195&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot%20in%20Command-Master.PDF - Light Conditions (item 3, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430196&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Light%20Conditions-Master.PDF - Photo 1 –Overview of Airplane - Courtesy of FAA (item 4, .PDF, 407 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430197&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93Overview%20of%20Airplane%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 2 –Airplane Ground Scar and Location – Courtesy of FAA (item 5, .PDF, 576 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430198&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93Airplane%20Ground%20Scar%20and%20Location%20%E2%80%93%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 3 –Airplane Overview at Night of Accident – Courtesy of FAA (item 6, .PDF, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430199&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20%E2%80%93Airplane%20Overview%20at%20Night%20of%20Accident%20%E2%80%93%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-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.