Pilot Debrief

DAVIS DONALD M BUSHBY MUSTANG II near Maricopa, AZ — 2021-04-20

Final reportWPR21LA168
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Date
2021-04-20
Location
Maricopa, AZ, USA
Airport
A39
Aircraft
DAVIS DONALD M BUSHBY MUSTANG II
Registration
N284ND
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff with a quartering right tailwind.

NTSB narrative

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.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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