# NTSB WPR10CA204: Mathis Melvin R Bushby Mustang II, N217AT, Apple Valley, CA, April 8, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 8, 2010, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Apple Valley, CA - Coordinates: 34.575279, -117.186111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5753&lon=-117.1861&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75745 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75745/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75745 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA204 ## Probable cause The CFI's inability to overcome the improper control inputs of the private pilot, who was handling the flight controls, which resulted in their loss of directional control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mathis Melvin R BUSHBY MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056108O), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mathis Melvin R BUSHBY MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056108O), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Mathis Melvin R BUSHBY MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056108O), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Mathis Melvin R BUSHBY MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056108O), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Mathis Melvin R BUSHBY MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=056108O), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) had previous experience flying the experimental, homebuilt airplane. He offered to provide the prospective airplane purchaser with a familiarization flight that included stalls and landings. The CFI demonstrated a couple of stalls to the student, who held a private pilot certificate and a tailwheel endorsement, and they then practiced landings. The CFI reported that he was monitoring the pilot's performance while the pilot was handling the controls. The CFI stated that the pilot's first landing was not satisfactorily performed, and the pilot almost lost control of the conventional gear airplane during rollout. The pilot reported that he had difficulty controlling the throttle, the design of which was unfamiliar to him. The pilot's second approach and 3-point touchdown appeared to be satisfactory; however, after the airplane rolled several hundred feet, the private pilot suddenly and abruptly applied left and right rudder pressure while moving the flight controls erratically. The CFI joined the pilot on the flight controls in an attempt at maintaining control. The CFI could not overcome the inputs of the private pilot and directional control was lost. The airplane's divergent rollout course was not corrected and the airplane exited off the left side of the runway and ground-looped. The airplane came to rest with collapsed landing gear and a bent wing. ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor (CFI) had previous experience flying the experimental, homebuilt, model of airplane. He offered to provide the prospective airplane purchaser with a familiarization flight that included stalls and landings. The CFI demonstrated a couple of stalls to the student, who held a private pilot certificate and a tail wheel endorsement. Thereafter, landings were practiced. The CFI reported that he was monitoring the pilot's performance while the pilot was handling the controls. The CFI stated that the pilot's first landing was not satisfactorily performed, and the pilot almost lost control of the conventional gear airplane during rollout. The pilot's second approach and 3-point touchdown appeared satisfactory. However, after the airplane rolled several hundred feet, the private pilot suddenly and abruptly applied left and right rudder pressure while moving the flight controls erratically. The CFI joined the pilot on the flight controls in an attempt at maintaining control. The CFI could not overcome the erratic inputs of the private pilot, and directional control was lost. The airplane's divergent rollout course was not corrected and the airplane exited off the left side of the runway and ground looped. The airplane came to rest with collapsed landing gear and a bent wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N217AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N217AT-2018-02-09), registration cancelled 2018-02-09, S/N 168 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MATHIS MELVIN R BUSHBY MUSTANG II - Registry model: [Mathis Melvin R BUSHBY MUSTANG II](https://openairdocs.org/model/mathis-melvin-r-bushby-mustang-ii) (registry code 056108O) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 168 - Airframe hours: 50 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2010 - Departed: APV, Apple Valley, CA - Destination: APV, Apple Valley, CA - Airport: APV, Apple Valley, runway 18, 6,498 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 73; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 18, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 8,500 total, 20 in this make and model, 8,300 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 28, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 750 total, 2 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20100408033179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100408033179A), Apr 8, 2010: Mathis Melv BUSHBY MUST, Apple Valley, CA, Substantial damage. N217AT, bushby mustang ii home built, ground looped on landing at Apple Valley airport runway 18. The aircraft touched down in a three point attitude with Mr.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 11, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75745. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329508&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.