# NTSB MIA00LA210: James Browning Midget MUSTANG-I, N114JB, Waycross, GA, July 9, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 2000, 11:33 local (15:33 UTC) - Place: Waycross, GA - Coordinates: 31.210374, -82.350631 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2104&lon=-82.3506&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 March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49637 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49637/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA210 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control during initial climb that resulted in the aircraft colliding with the ground and incurring damage. A factor in the accident was the pilot's diverted attention, when he inadvertently knocked the spectacles off his face while adjusting his headset. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis A witness, a licensed aviation mechanic who observed the aircraft during the takeoff, stated that about 300 feet above ground level, the aircraft pitched nose up and entered an abrupt roll, followed by a 60- to 70-degree bank. The witness also said that the aircraft had lost altitude and airspeed during the maneuver, and it impacted the ground, and was destroyed. He stated that the airplane did not appear to malfunction, but it looked as if the pilot either pitched the nose up and stalled the airplane, or attempted a snap roll maneuver at a low altitude, and did not recover prior to impacting the ground. The witness later represented the FAA, and examined the accident airplane, and found that there was continuity to all flight control surfaces. The pilot stated that during initial climb, his headset wire was restricting his head movement, and while adjusting the headset, he accidentally knocked his spectacles off, and lost control of the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 2000, about 1133 eastern daylight time, a Browning Midget Mustang-I, N114JB, registered to and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight crashed during takeoff from Waycross-Ware County Airport, Waycross, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed, and the pilot, the sole occupant received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. A witness who is also a licensed aviation mechanic, stated that he observed the aircraft during the takeoff, and saw it rotate 250 to 300 feet after the ground roll. According to the witness, the aircraft then continued to climb to an altitude of about 300 to 350 feet above ground level, pitch nose up to about a 45-degree attitude, and entered an abrupt roll, followed by a 60- to 70-degree bank. The witness further stated that the aircraft had lost altitude and airspeed during the maneuver, and it impacted the ground, first with the left wing, then with the propeller. The aircraft then flipped over on its back, and slid 245 feet from the initial impact point, prior to coming to rest. The witness said that the airplane did not appear to malfunction, but it looked as if the pilot either pitched the nose up, stalling the airplane, or he attempted a snap roll maneuver at a low altitude, and did not recover prior to impacting the ground. The same witness later represented the FAA, and examined the airplane, and verified that there was continuity to all the aircraft's flight controls. The pilot stated that after takeoff, and during the initial climb, he noted that his headset wire was under the shoulder harness and restricting his head movement, and while trying to pull the headset up to give himself more free wire, he accidentally knocked his spectacles off, and lost control of the aircraft while attempting to restore them. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N114JB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N114JB-2001-03-05), registration cancelled 2001-03-05, S/N JB4 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: James Browning MIDGET MUSTANG-I (MIDGET MUS) - Registry model: [Browning James MIDGET MUSTANG-I](https://openairdocs.org/model/browning-james-midget-mustang-i) (registry code 1690356) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JB4 - Airframe hours: 250 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jack Wade Ivey - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 2000, 6 hours before - Destination: ABY, ALBANY, GA - Airport: AYS, Waycross, runway 18, 6,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,321 total, 217 in this make and model, 3,321 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AMG, 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 20000709004529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000709004529A), Jul 9, 2000: Waycross, GA, No damage. (.4) After takeoff, PIC became distracted from his primary responsibility of flying th airplane and allowed the aircraft to pitch up and enter a stal l, which… 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.