# NTSB WPR21LA168: Davis Donald M Bushby Mustang II, N284ND, Maricopa, AZ, April 20, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 20, 2021, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Maricopa, AZ · Airport Environment - Coordinates: 32.990549, -111.9189 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9905&lon=-111.9189&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102957 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102957/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA168 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff with a quartering right tailwind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Davis Donald M BUSHBY MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1690661), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Davis Donald M BUSHBY MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=1690661), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Davis Donald M BUSHBY MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1690661), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Davis Donald M BUSHBY MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1690661), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Davis Donald M BUSHBY MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1690661), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, crosswind conditions existed when he began the takeoff roll in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. After reaching takeoff speed, the airplane began to veer left of the centerline. He applied right rudder control inputs, but the airplane would not return to the center of the runway. He applied aft elevator control and the airplane became airborne, but the airplane settled back down on the right wing, followed by the left wing, then struck the runway surface and the airplane spun around. The airplane came to rest at the midfield taxiway intersection, after travelling about 200 ft along the ground. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction which would have precluded normal operation. A review of weather information indicated that the airplane likely departed with a quartering right tailwind. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N284ND](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N284ND), registered now, S/N MII 601, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DAVIS DONALD M BUSHBY MUSTANG II - Registry model: [Davis Donald M BUSHBY MUSTANG II](https://openairdocs.org/model/davis-donald-m-bushby-mustang-ii) (registry code 1690661) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MII 601 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 479 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 18, 2021, 20 hours before - Airport: A39, Ak-Chin Rgnl, runway 04/22, 4,751 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 22, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 700 total, 40 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 12 °F - Observed at: KCGZ, 8 nm away - METAR: KCGZ 201856Z AUTO 17008KT 130V230 10SM CLR 31/M11 RMK AO2 SLPNO T03061106 $ ## 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 20210420005249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210420005249A), Apr 20, 2021: Davis Donald M BUSHBY MUSTANG II, Maricopa, AZ, Destroyed. On 04/20/2021 at 18:50 local time, aircraft N284ND was involved with an occurrence at Maricopa Arizona (A39). In an interview with the pilot he made the… 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.