# NTSB SEA89FA103: Whittaker Bushby Mustang 1, N8020E, Alderwood Manor, WA, June 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1989, 15:37 local (22:37 UTC)
- Place: Alderwood Manor, WA
- Coordinates: 47.799251, -122.279106 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7993&lon=-122.2791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40920
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89FA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40920/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA103

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN FLYING A TRAFFIC PATTERN AT TREE-TOP LEVEL AND A TAILWIND CONDITION DURING THE STEEP TURN TO FINAL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS OVER THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT FLEW A VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN AT A LOW ALTITUDE. HE INITIATED A STEEP LEFT TURN TO FINAL APPROACH AT 100 FT ABOVE THE LAKE ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED FURTHER LEFT, DESCENDED IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE & IMPACTED THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8020E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8020E-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 244, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WHITTAKER BUSHBY MUSTANG 1 (BUSHBY MUS)
- Registry model: [Whittaker Charles R BUSHBY MUSTANG-I](https://openairdocs.org/model/whittaker-charles-r-bushby-mustang-i) (registry code 1690506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 244
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jose Raul Franco
- Registered owner: David E. Dean
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: OS8, PORT ORCHARD, WA
- Airport: S13, Martha Lake, runway 34, 1,700 × 40 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total, 45 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAE, 3 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 19890610015049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890610015049A), Jun 10, 1989: Amtrbb MUSTANGMIDGT, Alderwood Manor, WA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Made low pass over airport,turned low base leg for landing. Entered near vertical left bank nose low attitude.

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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