N217AT

Substantial
None

MATHIS MELVIN R BUSHBY MUSTANG IIS/N: 168

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, April 8, 2010
NTSB Number
WPR10CA204
Location
Apple Valley, CA
Event ID
20100413X20414
Coordinates
34.575279, -117.186111
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

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.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N217AT
Make
MATHIS MELVIN R
Serial Number
168
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
BUSHBY MUSTANG IIBPAT
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
1409 CONTINENTAL AVE
Status
Deregistered
City
SAN DIEGO
State / Zip Code
CA 92154-5707
Country
United States

Analysis

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.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR10CA204