Pilot Debrief

MUSTANG II near Senoia, GA — 2020-01-25

Final reportERA20FA086
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Date
2020-01-25
Location
Senoia, GA, USA
Airport
64GA
Aircraft
MUSTANG II
Registration
UNREG
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s structural limitations while conducting previous aerobatic maneuvers, which resulted in an in-flight breakup of the airplane.

NTSB narrative

According to a previous owner of the experimental, amateur-built airplane, the pilot had flown aerobatic maneuvers in the airplane about 1 week before the accident, during which he exceeded the airplane’s never exceed speed of 230 mph by between about 20 to 25 mph. Additionally, two videos provided by a witness showed the airplane making two high-speed, low passes over the airport earlier on the day of the accident. The airplane owner stated that, after the pilot departed for the accident flight, the pilot flew over the local area for about 15 minutes and then performed a barrel roll. Video evidence revealed six rolls. Shortly thereafter, the canopy and vertical stabilizer separated, and the airplane subsequently descended nose down and impacted terrain. During the descent and just before impact, the outboard section of the right horizontal stabilizer separated. Examination of the canopy frame revealed that it had separated due to overstress and that it did not have reinforcing gussets installed per a kit manufacturer canopy frame revision issued in 1984. Metallurgical examination of the vertical stabilizer revealed ratchet marks along the internal edge of the aft doubler rib consistent with stress and multiple fatigue cracks. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the pilot previously exceeded the airplane’s structural limits, which led to the in-flight separation of the vertical stabilizer and canopy.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided performing aerobatic maneuvers beyond safe limits.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 18 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents18

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