Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Loss of Control on Ground: Bushby Mustang II, N121DD; accident occurred February 20, 2022 at Cheyenne Regional Airport (KCYS), Laramie County, Wyoming








Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming
Accident Number: WPR22LA102
Date and Time: February 20, 2022, 15:30 Local
Registration: N121DD
Aircraft: Darrell D. Dugger Mustang II 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground 
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll he encountered a right crosswind, and the airplane began to deviate to the left of the runway centerline. He attempted to correct the movement with application of right rudder, but the pilot was unsuccessful in correcting his course. To avoid a possible runway excursion, the pilot decided to fly in ground effect. He rotated and the airplane lifted off the runway; however, the left wing immediately dropped, and the airplane struck the ground. The pilot aborted the takeoff attempt, and the airplane landed in grass. The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll which resulted in an aborted takeoff and collision with terrain.

Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial 
Age: 70, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): None 
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: April 14, 2021
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: April 25, 2021
Flight Time: 712 hours (Total, all aircraft), 60 hours (Total, this make and model), 648 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 16 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 9 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Darrell D. Dugger
Registration: N121DD
Model/Series: Mustang II 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2013
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special) 
Serial Number: 12136
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: June 14, 2022 Annual 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 57 Hrs 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 137 Hrs at time of accident 
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed
Engine Model/Series: O-320-D3G
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 160
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KFEW,6160 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 3 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 15:58 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 242°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 11 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 180° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 29.71 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / -14°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Cheyenne, WY 
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Destination: Pueblo, CO (PUB)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: CHEYENNE RGNL/JERRY OLSON FLD CYS
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 6159 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 13
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6690 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 41.155639,-104.81047(est)



Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming
Accident Number: WPR22LA102
Date and Time: February 20, 2022, 15:30 Local
Registration: N121DD
Aircraft: Darrell D. Dugger Mustang II
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Darrell D. Dugger
Registration: N121DD
Model/Series: Mustang II
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KFEW, 6160 ft msl
Observation Time: 15:58 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 3 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C /-14°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / , 180°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.71 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Cheyenne, WY 
Destination: Pueblo, CO (PUB)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 41.155639,-104.81047 (est)