# NTSB LAX90DVA13: Blaise Midget Mustang, N7148B, Kernville, CA, September 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1990, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Kernville, CA
- Coordinates: 35.729255, -118.390739 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7293&lon=-118.3907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DVA13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26566/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVA13

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED SUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT DURING LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPEREINCE IN THIS AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE HOMEBUILT WAS ON HIS FIRST FLIGHT IN THIS AIRCRAFT AND STATED HE DIDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE FIRST APPROACH AND MADE A GO AROUND. ON THE SECOND APPROACH HE ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO GET TOO SLOW AND IT STALLED AND CRASHED ONTO THE RUNWAY. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7148B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7148B-1991-08-26), registration cancelled 1991-08-26, S/N RHB5 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BLAISE MIDGET MUSTANG (MIDGET MUS)
- Registry model: [Blaise Richard BUSHBY MIDGETMUSTANG](https://openairdocs.org/model/blaise-richard-bushby-midgetmustang) (registry code 1690383) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: RHB-5
- Airframe hours: 6
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Blaise, Richard
- Registered owner: Richard H Blaise
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1990, 6 hours before
- Airport: L05, Kern Valley, runway 35, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 2,400 total, 2,200 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19900927042549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900927042549A), Sep 27, 1990: Amtrbb MUSTANGMIDGT, Kernville, CA, Destroyed. Became too slow on final. Stalled,hit runway and aircraft cartwheeled. Builders first flight in homebuilt.

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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