# NTSB ERA21LA177: Forisch Edward Bushby Mustang M II, N61EF, Worcester, MA, April 6, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 6, 2021, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Worcester, MA - Coordinates: 42.271398, -71.875819 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2714&lon=-71.8758&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102890 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102890/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102890 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA177 ## Probable cause Binding of the left aileron bellcrank push/pull rod, which resulted in an uncommanded right turn. ## 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 · Not specified; cases with it: [Forisch Edward BUSHBY MUSTANG M II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1690373), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wing structure: ailerons](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035751): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Malfunction; cases with it: [Forisch Edward BUSHBY MUSTANG M II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035751/cases.md?model=1690373), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035751/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Forisch Edward BUSHBY MUSTANG M II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1690373), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Forisch Edward BUSHBY MUSTANG M II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1690373), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Forisch Edward BUSHBY MUSTANG M II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=1690373), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Forisch Edward BUSHBY MUSTANG M II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1690373), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he recently purchased the airplane and needed 3 hours of dual instruction before his insurance would be effective. He and a flight instructor were taking off and the airplane was about 6 feet above ground level when it began to roll to the right. The pilot attempted to apply left aileron control but was unable to move the control stick to the left. He told the flight instructor about the problem and they both tried to move the control stick to the left, but it would not move. The pilot rejected the takeoff and landed in the grass to the right side of the runway. Both main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid to a stop. Examination of the left aileron bellcrank and push/pull rod revealed that the rod was contacting the access hole in the aft spar. The rivets that hold the threaded insert into the rod were contacting the edge of the spar and binding. This condition would have resulted in the uncommanded right turn experienced during the accident flight. After disconnecting the left aileron push/pull rod from the bellcrank, the control stick moved freely in the full range of motion. ## Factual narrative On April 6, 2021, about 1500 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Bushby Mustang M II, N61EF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Worcester, Massachusetts. The flight instructor and the pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The commercial pilot, who was the new owner of the airplane, stated that he hired the flight instructor to ferry the airplane from Fresno, California to Worcester Regional Airport (ORH), Worcester, Massachusetts. Then the flight instructor was to provide him with 3 hours of dual flight instruction before his insurance coverage would be effective. He further stated that on the day of the accident, the flight instructor had him perform three high-speed taxis to demonstrate directional control. The flight instructor was pleased with the control shown and cleared him for flight. During takeoff, about 6 feet above ground level, the airplane began a roll to the right. The pilot stated he attempted to apply left aileron control but was unable to move the control stick to the left. He told the flight instructor about the problem and they both tried to move the control stick to the left, but it would not move. At this point, the pilot aborted the takeoff and landed the airplane in the grass to the right side of the runway. Both main landing gears collapsed, and the airplane slid to a stop. They shut down the electrical system, shut off the fuel, and egressed the airplane. The flight instructor’s description of the accident flight was consistent with that provided by the pilot. The wreckage was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. An attempt to cycle the control stick was unsuccessful with binding in movement to the left. Examination of the left aileron bellcrank and push/pull rod revealed that the rod was contacting the access hole in the aft spar. The rivets that hold the threaded insert into the rod were contacting the edge of the spar and binding. After disconnecting the left aileron push/pull rod from the bellcrank, the control stick moved freely in the full range of motion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61EF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61EF), registered now, S/N M-II-1019, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FORISCH EDWARD BUSHBY MUSTANG M II - Registry model: [Forisch Edward BUSHBY MUSTANG M II](https://openairdocs.org/model/forisch-edward-bushby-mustang-m-ii) (registry code 1690373) (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-II-1019 - Year built: 1989 - Airframe hours: 1528.9 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D1A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 1, 2020, 57 hours before - Airport: ORH, Worcester Rgnl, runway 33, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,751 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 66; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 10, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 15,678 total, 39 in this make and model, 12,300 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 43 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KORH - METAR: KORH 061954Z 31008KT 280V340 10SM CLR 16/M02 A2984 RMK AO2 SLP106 T01611017 ## 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 20210406004869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210406004869A), Apr 6, 2021: Forisch Edward BUSHBY MUSTANG M II, Worcester, MA, Substantial damage. At 1525 EDT on 04/06/2021 N61EF a bushby mustang 2 crashed at korh (Worcester, MA) after takeoff from runway 33. In a written statement the pilot in command… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 19, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102890. 9.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12381416&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Flight instructor statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12383067&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CFI%20Pilot%20statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot/owner written statement (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12383295&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot-owner%20statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12382348&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=reocrd%20of%20interview-pilot-owner-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12383077&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20statement-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 6, PDF, 5 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12382982&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=investigative%20Photo%27s-Rel.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.