# NTSB IAD04LA035: Giles Mustang II, N91061, Rainelle, WV, August 8, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 2004, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Rainelle, WV - Coordinates: 37.858055, -80.399444 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8581&lon=-80.3994&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 59862 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD04LA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59862/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD04LA035 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power due to a broken throttle mechanism, which resulted in a forced landing over unsuitable terrain ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - throttle/power lever,cable - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis The pilot of the homebuilt airplane reduced power on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern to initiate a low approach to the runway. The airplane was on final approach when the pilot attempted to add power to maintain his desired glide path. When he pushed the throttle lever forward, there was no response from the engine. Remedial actions by the pilot failed to restore control of the engine. During the subsequent forced landing to a field, the engine continued to run at the reduced power setting. On short final to the field, he noticed a dead tree with no foliage in his path, but determined that his altitude and airspeed were too low to maneuver around it. The airplane struck the tree, contacted the ground, spun around, and came to rest facing opposite the direction of travel. Examination of the throttle control after the accident revealed a separation of the throttle cable outer sheath and the inner throttle cable. When forward movement was applied to the throttle control, the inner cable bowed, and did not transfer forward motion to the throttle arm. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 2004, at 1330 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Mustang II, N91061, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Rainelle, West Virginia. The certificated airline transport pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for local personal flight that originated at Rainelle Airport, Rainelle, West Virginia, at 1325. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that after takeoff he intended to fly a low pass down runway 35 prior to departing the traffic pattern. The takeoff and initial climb to the downwind leg of the traffic pattern were routine, and the pilot reduced power to arrest his climb and begin a descent through the base and final legs of the pattern. He estimated that his power setting was between 700 and 1,000 rpm after the power reduction. Once established on the final approach, the pilot perceived that his approach angle was too shallow, and pushed the throttle forward to re-intercept his desired glide path. There was no response from the engine, and actuation of the fuel boost pumps, carburetor heat, and the fuel selector valve failed to restore control of the engine. However, the engine continued to run at 700 to 1,000 RPM. The pilot determined that he couldn't reach the runway, which was on a hilltop, and turned down a valley adjacent to the airport in search of a forced landing area. He over flew several fields due to large bales of hay obstructing the landing surface, and selected an open field about 1 to 2 miles northeast of the airport. The pilot selected an approach path between two trees that bordered the field. On short final, he noticed a dead tree with no foliage in his path, but determined that his altitude and airspeed were too low to maneuver around it. The airplane struck the tree, contacted the ground, spun around, and came to rest facing opposite the direction of travel. A West Virginia Army National Guard MEDEVAC helicopter overheard the pilot's radio calls, landed at the crash site, and transported the pilot to a local hospital for treatment. Examination of the airplane at the scene by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspectors revealed that the engine and its associated controls were almost completely separated from the airplane during the crash sequence. Follow-up examination by the inspectors revealed a separation of the throttle cable outer sheath and the inner throttle cable. When forward movement was applied to the throttle control, the inner cable bowed, and did not transfer forward motion to the throttle arm. The pilot reported that other than the loss of engine control, there were no anomalies of note. According to FAA Advisory Circular AC-20-27D, Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft: "...FAA inspections of amateur-built aircraft have been limited to ensuring the use of acceptable workmanship methods, techniques, practices, and issuing operating limitations necessary to protect persons and property not involved in this activity." The weather reported at Lewisburg, West Virginia, 16 miles northwest of Rainelle, at 1337, included winds from 190 degrees at 5 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, temperature 68 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.22 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91061](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91061-2005-12-02), registration cancelled 2005-12-02, S/N M-II-255, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Giles Mustang II - Registry model: [Giles Charles W MUSTANG II](https://openairdocs.org/model/giles-charles-w-mustang-ii) (registry code 05610QC) (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: 255 - Airframe hours: 64 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-BIA 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David L. Burgess - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 30, 2003, 23 hours before - Departed: WV30, Rainelle, WV - Airport: WV30, Rainelle Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review May 21, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 13,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 12,500 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: LWB, 16 nm away ## 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 20040808022619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040808022619A), Aug 8, 2004: Amtr MUSTANG2, Rainelle, WV, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 08, 2004, at approximately 1345 EDT, an experimental amateur built mustang ii took off from rainele, WV (9W4) and reached altitude, when the… 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.