# NTSB LAX87DUJ07: Kiesel Midget Mustang, N68WK, Window Rock, AZ, July 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1987, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Window Rock, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.689697, -108.97998 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6897&lon=-108.9800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25311
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DUJ07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25311/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DUJ07

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - open (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. ENGINEEXAMINATION REVEALED AN OPEN INTAKE VALVE ON THE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER AND THE PILOT STATED A 'BENT AND CRACKED CRANKSHAFT FROM A PRIOR ACCIDENT' WAS DISCOVERED DURING THE ENGINE EXAMINATION. THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT AN OPEN INTAKE VALVE COULD INDUCE SIGNIFICANT POWER LOSS BY ALLOWING EXHAUST GASSES TO PRESSURIZE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, THEREBY ALTERINGTHE FUEL/AIR MIXTURE. THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS ESTABLISHED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD FLOWN ONLY NINE HOURS SINCE THE LAST CONDITION INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68WK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68WK-1990-08-23), registration cancelled 1990-08-23, S/N 711 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KIESEL MIDGET MUSTANG (MIDGET MUS)
- Registry model: [Kiesel Williamp MIDGET MUSTANG](https://openairdocs.org/model/kiesel-williamp-midget-mustang) (registry code 1690367) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 711
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John W Hutchison
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 1987, 9 hours before
- Departed: P34
- Destination: P34
- Airport: P34, Window Rock, runway 2, 7,000 × 80 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,517 total, 8 in this make and model, 1,398 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GUI, 20 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 19870705032279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870705032279A), Jul 5, 1987: Amtrbb MUSTANGMIDGT, Window Rock, AZ, Substantial damage. The engine lost power on crosswind. Aircraft stalled into parking lot. Intake valve leaking. Crankshaft bent.

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.