# NTSB LAX98LA002: Blackwell Midget Mustang, N32JB, Glendale, AZ, October 2, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 2, 1997, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Glendale, AZ - Coordinates: 33.529216, -112.179061 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5292&lon=-112.1791&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29970 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29970/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA002 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the aircraft due to the deflation of the right main gear tire. Factors in this accident were the soft sand on the side of the runway and the left crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,tire - cut/severed (cause) - landing gear,tire - collapsed (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Nose down, landing ## Analysis The airplane's gear dug into soft sand after it departed the runway and the aircraft nosed over. In a postaccident examination of the aircraft, the pilot found a 5-inch cut in the tire and a 3-inch cut in the tube of the right main landing gear. The pilot believed that the cut occurred on takeoff from Del Rio, Texas. An FAA Inspector examined the aircraft, noted the cut and deflated tire, and also noted that the right main landing gear was deflated. The inspector also found corresponding skid marks on the runway. ## Factual narrative On October 2, 1997, at 1530 hours mountain standard time, a Blackwell Midget Mustang, N32JB, veered off the runway 21R on landing and nosed over at Luke Air Force Base, Glendale, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight and an IFR flight plan was filed. The aircraft departed from Del Rio, Texas, at 1050 central daylight time, and was scheduled to terminate at Luke AFB. The pilot stated he touched down at the 3,000-foot marker and that shortly after touchdown, the aircraft yawed violently to the left and became uncontrollable. The airplane departed the runway to the left and nosed over when it entered soft sand. The pilot stated that he apparently cut his right main tire on takeoff from the Del Rio International Airport. He said that the cut was approximately 5 inches in the tire and about 3 inches in the tube. An Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office examined the airplane at the request of the Safety Board. He stated that the right main tire was deflated, with corresponding skid marks on the runway. Additionally he stated that at the time of the accident winds were reported from 150 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 18 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32JB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32JB), registered now, S/N 473, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Blackwell MIDGET MUSTANG (MIDGET MUS) - Registry model: [Blackwell MUSTANG MOD. II](https://openairdocs.org/model/blackwell-mustang-mod-ii) (registry code 0562660) (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: 473 - Airframe hours: 736 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E20 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rodney L. Link - Registered owner: Link Land Trust - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 26, 1997, 14 hours before - Departed: DRT, DEL RIO, TX - Destination: LUF - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: LUF, Luke Afb, runway 21R, 10,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,200 total, 650 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19971002030019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971002030019A), Oct 2, 1997: Amtrbb MUSTANGMIDGT, Glendale, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in crosswind. Exited runway. Nosed over. Found a cut tire. Was evidently cut on takeoff. 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.