# NTSB MIA94LA083: Harper, Jack M. Mustang II, N20768, Lake City, FL, March 5, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1994, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Lake City, FL
- Coordinates: 30.190679, -82.639907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1907&lon=-82.6399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37502
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37502/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA083

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE BOLTS WHICH SECURE THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO THE STRUT ASSEMBLY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,wheel - separation (cause)
  - landing gear,wheel - stripped thread
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE.  THE LANDING GEAR STRUT DUG INTO THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED.  THE PILOT STATED THAT THE NUTS USED TO SECURE THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO THE STRUT WERE NOT LOCATED.  THE THREADED PORTION OF THE BOLTS WERE STRIPPED.

## Factual narrative

On March 5, 1994, about 0845 eastern standard time, a homebuilt Harper Mustang II, N20768, registered to Jack W. Harper, was substantially damaged during the landing roll at the Cannon Creek Airport, Lake City, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The private-rated pilot was not injured and the pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries.  The flight originated from the Herlong Airport, Jacksonville, Florida, about 45 minutes earlier.

The pilot and pilot-rated passenger both stated that the approach to land was normal and the wind was directly down the runway.  At touchdown, the airplane's left wheel landed first, then the right wheel touched down about 8 to 10 feet later.  The right wheel assembly separated, and the airplane nosed over.  The airplane came to rest inverted about 175 feet further along the runway.  The pilot stated that the nuts which secure the wheel to the landing gear were not located.  The threads of the bolts were stripped.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20768](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20768-1996-02-24), registration cancelled 1996-02-24, S/N MII1015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HARPER, JACK M. MUSTANG II
- Registry model: [Harper Jack W MUSTANG II](https://openairdocs.org/model/harper-jack-w-mustang-ii) (registry code 1690379) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1015
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360A 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harper, Jack W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1993, 37 hours before
- Departed: 23J, JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Airport: 15FL, Cannon Creek, runway 27, 2,300 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 545 total, 115 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 33 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 19940305003679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940305003679A), Mar 5, 1994: Amtrbb MUSTANG2, Lake City, FL, Substantial damage. Right wheel separated landing nosed over on runway. Wheel nuts were missing. Bolt threads stripped.

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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