# NTSB FTW93LA119: Vaughan Mustang II, N20JV, Las Cruces, NM, April 8, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1993, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Las Cruces, NM
- Coordinates: 31.839145, -106.680358 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8391&lon=-106.6804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18721
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18721/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA119

## Probable cause

THE AIRCRAFTS TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE EXCEEDED AND PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE WIND

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - runway light

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN ON RUNWAY 30 THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND IT RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A TAXIWAY SIGN. WIND WAS 350 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE LOST RUDDER AUTHORITY

## Factual narrative

On April 8, 1993, at approximately 1515 mountain daylight time (MDT) a Vaughan Mustang II, N20JV, was substantially damaged during takeoff. The Air Transport Rated pilot, who was the owner and operator, was not injured. Weather for the local area flight was visual meteorological conditions.

During an interview with the pilot, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, he stated that during the takeoff ground run on runway 30 he lost control and ran off the left side of the runway. Following the runway departure the airplane struck a taxiway sign. He further reported that there was no mechanical problems with the airplane and that he just ran out of rudder. Winds were reported to be 350 degrees at 20 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20JV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20JV-1996-05-16), registration cancelled 1996-05-16, S/N 368 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VAUGHAN MUSTANG II
- Registry model: [Vaughan Gerald R MIDGET MUSTANG](https://openairdocs.org/model/vaughan-gerald-r-midget-mustang) (registry code 1690362) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 368
- Airframe hours: 606
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mcgrew, Albert W.
- Registered owner: Mcgrew, Albert W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1993, 1 hours before
- Departed: LRU
- Destination: LRU
- Airport: LRU, Las Cruces, runway 3, 7,494 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 28,000 total, 5 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930408008149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930408008149A), Apr 8, 1993: Amtrbb MUSTANG2, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage. Lost control on takeoff roll in quartering crosswind. Pilot reported he ran out of rudder.

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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