# NTSB ERA24LA027: Mustang II, N71CB, Asheville, AL, October 28, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 28, 2023, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Asheville, AL · On Airport - Coordinates: 33.83871, -86.211365 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8387&lon=-86.2114&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193331 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193331/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193331 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA027 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during initial climb after an aborted landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact 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: [Mustang II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05601VL), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mustang II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05601VL), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Mustang II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05601VL), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to land on a constrained turf runway. A witness described that the airplane approached the runway too fast, landed long, and bounced several times. The pilot subsequently aborted the landing with limited runway remaining. The witness described that the airplane “staggered into the air” at a high pitch angle with the wings rocking left and right. The pilot described that the airplane’s nose “dropped” before it impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Based on this information, it is likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the aborted landing and subsequent initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N71CB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71CB-2024-01-31), registration cancelled 2024-01-31, S/N CB-1, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MUSTANG II - Registry model: [Mustang II](https://openairdocs.org/model/mustang-ii) (registry code 05601VL) (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: CB-1 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 2856 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hogue James H - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 26, 2023 - Departed: SCD, Sylacuaga, AL - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: AL60, Dugger'S Fld, runway 10/28, 1,800 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 11, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 654 total, 45 in this make and model, 555 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KGAD, 10 nm away - METAR: METAR KGAD 281656Z AUTO 25004KT 10SM CLR 26/16 A3021 ## 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 20231028022129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231028022129A), Oct 28, 2023: Mustang II, Ashville, AL, Substantial damage. Aircraft had turned onto final for the runway when pilot realized that he was too high and fast. Pilot attempted to correct and when the aircraft touched down,… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193331. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16357524&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20final_redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16357534&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 733 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16357327&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.