# NTSB FTW90DPJ10: Homebuilt Midget Mustang M1, N40PW, Bristow, OK, August 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1990, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Bristow, OK
- Coordinates: 35.830196, -96.390007 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8302&lon=-96.3900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DPJ10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22959/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPJ10

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS, A COMPROMISED FUEL VENT SYSTEM, AND IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE PLUMBING IN THE FUEL VENT SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,line fitting - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, company/operator management (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF AND AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. POWER CONTINUED TO DECAY AND THE PILOT INITIATED A LEFT TURN TO RETURN FOR LANDING ON RUNWAY 35. AS POWER CONTINUED TO DECREASE THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE HIS TURN SUFFICIENTLY TO ALIGN WITH THE RUNWAY. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DEPRESSION BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND TAXIWAY. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, A FUEL LINE SEPARATED FROM A 'T' FITTING IN THE FUEL VENT SYSTEM, CAUSING THE POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40PW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40PW-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N DSA-1, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOMEBUILT MIDGET MUSTANG M1 (MIDGET MUS)
- Registry model: [White MIDGET MUSTANG](https://openairdocs.org/model/white-midget-mustang) (registry code 1690306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: DSA-1
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Arthur E. O'Conner
- Registered owner: Arthur E. O'Connor
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1990, 40 hours before
- Departed: 3F7
- Airport: 3F7, Jones Memorial, runway 35, 3,400 × 24 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,800 total, 40 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900803030169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900803030169A), Aug 3, 1990: Amtrbb MUSTANGMIDGT, Bristow, OK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Force landed on airport but hit a ditch. Loose fuel vent line caused vacuum in fuel tank.

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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