# NTSB MKC84LA090: Robert H. Low Mustang II, N53BL, Des Moines, IA, February 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1984, 10:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Des Moines, IA
- Coordinates: 41.630977, -93.670608 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6310&lon=-93.6706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33644
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33644/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA090

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF THE FLT WAS FOR THE PLT TO EXPERIENCE A TAKEOFF AT MAX GROSS WT. HE PUT A 150 LB BAG OF CEMENT IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT TO SIMULATE THE WT OF A PASSENGER, THEN INITIATED A TAKEOFF FROM A SOD RWY THAT WAS SOFT AFTER A RECENT THAW, USING 15 DEG OF FLAPS. THE PLT SAID THAT HE LIFTED OFF PREMATURELY & THE ACFT SETTLED BACK TO THE RWY & WAS SLOWED BY THE SOFT FIELD CONDITIONS. ALSO, HE SAID HE WAITED TOO LONG TO ABORT & THE ACFT WENT OFF THE END OF THE RWY & THRU A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53BL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53BL), registered now, S/N 589, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBERT H. LOW MUSTANG II
- Registry model: [Low Robert H MUSTANG-II](https://openairdocs.org/model/low-robert-h-mustang-ii) (registry code 1690443) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-E2D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-e2d) (registry code 42123, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 589
- Airframe hours: 28
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert H. Low
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 28, 1983, 0 hours before
- Airport: Y76, Morningstar, runway 17, 2,893 × 170 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 428 total, 28 in this make and model, 370 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19840225005759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840225005759A), Feb 25, 1984: Amtrbb MUSTANG2, Des Moines, IA, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting takeoff on soft, wet runway. He waited too long to abort and aircraft ran through fence.

## Other investigations on N53BL (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC82DA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA062), Apr 25, 1982: Homebuilt Mustang II (N53BL), Ames, IA, substantial damage

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.