# NTSB NYC04CA124: Fraker Mustang II, N78K, Wauseon, OH, May 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 13, 2004, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Wauseon, OH - Coordinates: 41.609165, -84.126945 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6092&lon=-84.1269&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Cleveland, OH - NTSB case key (mKey): 59232 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59232/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA124 ## Probable cause The failure of the drive coupling between the engine and the propeller speed reducer. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the drive coupling. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Propeller failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - propeller system/drive assembly - failure (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis According to the pilot, while in the traffic pattern, he heard a loud grinding noise, and noted a subsequent loss of airspeed. As the homebuilt airplane descended, the pilot realized that he would not be able to land on the runway, and performed a forced landing to a field. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the drive coupling between the automotive V8 engine and the propeller speed reducer disconnected. Further examination of the coupling revealed that the rivets holding the coupling together failed. The pilot added, "a better inspection of the drive coupling may have caught this problem." ## Factual narrative On May 13, 2004, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Mustang II, N78K, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after experiencing a loss of propeller control while landing at the Fulton County Airport (USE), Wauseon, Ohio. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, while in the traffic pattern at USE, he heard a loud grinding noise, and noted a subsequent loss of airspeed. As the airplane descended, the pilot realized that he would not be able to land on the runway, and performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane was equipped with an automotive V8 engine, which was connected to a propeller speed reducer by a coupling. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the drive coupling was disconnected. Further examination of the coupling revealed that the rivets holding the coupling together failed. The pilot added, "a better inspection of the drive coupling may have caught this problem." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78K-2004-11-05), registration cancelled 2004-11-05, S/N MII 952, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fraker Mustang II - Registry model: [Fraker Carlton MUSTANG II](https://openairdocs.org/model/fraker-carlton-mustang-ii) (registry code 1690380) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: MII 952 - Airframe hours: 716 - Engines: General Motors 1962 V-8 170 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Carlton Fraker - Registered owner: Carlton R. Fraker - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 2003, 20 hours before - Departed: 7W5, Napolean, OH - Destination: USE, Wauseon, OH - Airport: USE, Fulton County Airport, runway 27, 3,882 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 9, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,428 total, 717 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: TOL ## 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 20040513012979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040513012979A), May 13, 2004: Amtr MUSTANG2, Wauseon, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Owner manufactured reduction gear and clutch assembly failed, resulting in loss of propeller effectiveness. Pilot landed in field short of runway… 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.