# NTSB NYC92DNC02: Craig Morehead Bushby Mustang II, N519CS, Buxton, ME, April 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1992, 07:11 local (11:11 UTC)
- Place: Buxton, ME
- Location: 43.6379° N, 70.5189° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Buxton, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6379&lon=-70.5189&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92DNC02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37038/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92DNC02

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL WITH INSUFFICENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE LOW CLOUDS AND FOG, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - fss service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT CHECKED THE WEATHER PRIOR TO DEPARTURE USING TV; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING FROM FLIGHT SERVICE.  HE ENCOUNTERED LOW CLOUDS AND FOG, AND WAS OBSERVED MAKING A STEEP BANK TURN WITH THE ENGINE OPERATING AT HIGH POWER.  IN THE TURN, THE AIRPLANE PITCHED UP AND DISAPPEARED IN THE FOG, AND A FEW SECONDS LATER A CRASH WAS HEARD.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN PITCH ATTITUDE, STRIKING SOME TREE BRANCHES ON THE WAY.  A CHECK WITH THE AIRPLANE DESIGNER DISCLOSED THE AIRPLANE HAS 'VISCOUS' ACCELERATED STALL CHARACTERISTICS. ADDITIONALLY, HE SAID THAT IN AN ACCELERATED STALL, THE AIRPLANE HAS A TENDENCY TO SNAP ROLL INTO A SPIN IN THE DIRECTION OPPOSITE OF THE TURN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N519CS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N519CS-1992-08-20), registration cancelled 1992-08-20, S/N MII1341 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CRAIG MOREHEAD BUSHBY MUSTANG II (BUSHBY MUS)
- Registry model: [Morehead Craig BUSHBY M II](https://openairdocs.org/model/morehead-craig-bushby-m-ii) (registry code 1690384) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: M-II-1341
- Airframe hours: 126
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Craig H. Morehead
- Registered owner: Craig H. Morehead
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 1990, 126 hours before
- Departed: B20, FRYBERG, ME
- Destination: LAL, LAKELAND, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 227 total, 112 in this make and model, 195 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWM, 12 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 19920420037009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920420037009A), Apr 20, 1992: Amtrbb MUSTANG2, Buxton, ME, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Departed into IMC attempting to remain ground contact. Observed to stall in steep turn away from obscured hills.

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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