N44DX

On August 14, 2004, about 1600 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Devereux Mustang II, N44DX, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain when it exited runway 27 and nosed over in the grass adjacent to runway 27 at the Elkhart Municipal Airport (EKM), near Elkhart, Indiana. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated from EKM at 1315 and was landing at the time of the accident.

The pilot's accident report stated:

The wheel landing itself was perfect (as described by

others on the ground). I was able to maintain the

center line until the tailwheel touched down. I had

trouble keeping the plane under control. The plane

veered toward the right of runway, went into the grass,

hit a soft spot and went onto its nose.

The pilot listed no mechanical malfunctions in reference to the airplane on that flight.

The pilot's safety recommendation stated, "More training in type of plane. I have had several hours training in tailwheel but in slower planes."