MATHIS MELVIN R BUSHBY MUSTANG II
Apple Valley, CA — April 8, 2010
Event Information
| Date | April 8, 2010 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR10CA204 |
| Event ID | 20100413X20414 |
| Location | Apple Valley, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 34.57528, -117.18611 |
| Airport | Apple Valley |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | MATHIS MELVIN R |
| Model | BUSHBY MUSTANG II |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
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.
Full 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.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.