# NTSB MIA88FA262: Commens Midget Mustang I, N35LC, Davie, FL, August 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1988, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Davie, FL
- Coordinates: 26.069448, -80.2807 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0694&lon=-80.2807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32040
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA262
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32040/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA262

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT FLYING THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO A SWAMP, AND THERE WERE NO WITNESSES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED 4 DAYS LATER. FRIENDS OF THE PILOT RECALLED THAT IN THE 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT HAD BRAGGED TO THEM ABOUT THE HIGH 'G' AEROBATIC MANEUVERS HE HAD BEEN DOING. A REVIEW OF THE PILOTS RECORDS REVEALED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 3 HOURS OF AEROBATIC INSTRUCTION 2 YEARS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A 50 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE ACFT'S FLT CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED IN A POST ACC INSPECTION. THE AILERONS HAD FAILED AT THEIR MOUNTS BUT WERE AT THE ACC SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35LC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35LC-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N N00LHC-1, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: COMMENS MIDGET MUSTANG I (MIDGET MUS)
- Registry model: [Commens Larry H MIDGET MUSTANG I](https://openairdocs.org/model/commens-larry-h-midget-mustang-i) (registry code 1690361) (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: N00LHC-1
- Airframe hours: 275
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Balkum, Bruce F.
- Registered owner: Balkum, Bruce F
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1988, 60 hours before
- Departed: FXE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 410 total, 95 in this make and model, 65 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FXE, 17 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 19880830036629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880830036629A), Aug 30, 1988: Amtrbb MUSTANGMIDGT, Davie, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. High speed ground impact. No witnesses. Blood alcohol test positive.

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.