NTSB Factual Report

On May 4, 1996, at 1435 central daylight time (cdt), a Deweese, Bushby Mustang M-II, N16JD, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when while maneuvering it lost engine power. The airplane subsequently impacted the terrain. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The passenger sustained fatal injuries. The local flight originated at Lancaster, Wisconsin, at 1400 cdt.

In his written statement, the pilot recalled allowing the passenger to handle the controls. The last thing he can recall of the flight was heading towards Lancaster, Wisconsin.

One witness "first saw the airplane south of the (Lancaster Municipal)airport, just south of the runway end. The aircraft made an abrupt pull-up at an angle estimated to be about 45 degrees. The aircraft made a hard left turn to the east with the wings about 90 degrees." The witness then lost sight of the airplane behind some buildings. The witness was driving north on U. S. Highway 61, which parallels Runway 36-18 at Lancaster Municipal Airport.

Another witness traveling north on U. S. Highway 61, also saw the airplane "traveling in a southerly direction." The witness said that the airplane was 120 feet above the ground when he noticed it. "The aircraft made a sudden bank to the left at an angle of about 70 degrees. Then the aircraft fell to the ground like someone pushed it down." The witness lost sight of the airplane behind a farm house.

A third witness driving north on U. S. Highway 61, noticed the airplane east of the highway traveling west at about 250 feet above the ground. The witness saw the airplane "make a steep banking turn to the south in the direction of the airport." While the airplane was making its steep turn, the witness noticed that the wings were wobbling. Then, from an estimated altitude of 150 feet , the airplane fell to the ground. The witness proceeded to the accident site to render assistance. On arrival at the sight, the witness "noticed fuel flowing from the aircraft."

A witness on the airport observed the airplane takeoff. "The airplane stayed in ground effect until the end of the runway at which time, it pitched up into a left chandelle maneuver." The witness later observed the airplane on left base to runway 18. "The airplane was 100 feet above the ground moving fast." The witness saw the airplane overshoot the final approach path to the runway. "The airplane increased its bank to 45 degrees and then spun into the ground." The witness did not see the airplane impact the terrain.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who examined the wreckage at the scene, found the airplane in an open field one mile north of the airport. The airplane's right forward cowling, engine mount and firewall were bent to the right. The nose gear had sheared off. The right wing had separated from the center wing section at the rivet line and was curled up at the tip. It was located 8 feet in front of the main wreckage. The left wing and center wing sections separated from the fuselage and were found resting on top of the fuselage. The forward fuselage was crushed upward at a 45-degree angle and canted approximately 30-degrees to the right. The tailcone was bent 45- degrees left. The right elevator had separated from the horizontal stabilizer. The wooden propeller had splinted and splay marks were found on the spinner. Flight control continuity was established. Approximately four gallons of fuel were recovered from the airplane's single fuel tank. There was no smell of fuel in the area. All other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. The engine was retained for further testing.

The engine was test run at Belvidere Airmotive, Poplar Grove, Illinois, on May 10, 1996. An FAA inspector and a representative from Textron Lycoming were present. No anomalies were found.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and collison with the terrain. The pilot's use of abrupt maneuvers was a related factor.