Experimental MINI MUSTANG accident near Page, AZ
On June 21, 1996, an Experimental MINI MUSTANG (airplane) was involved in an accident near Page, AZ. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 21, 1996
- Place
- Page, AZ
- Aircraft
- Experimental MINI MUSTANG · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.680°N, 111.409°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X06040
NTSB summary
On June 21, 1996, at 1539 hours mountain standard time, a homebuilt experimental Midget Mustang, N61D, was destroyed during takeoff from Page, Arizona. The pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Bountiful, Utah, and was destined for Sedona, Arizona. According to the pilot's friend in Sedona he was to arrive there about 1700. The pilot arrived at Page about 1415 on the day of the accident. Four witnesses were on the east side of runway 15 when they observed the experimental Mustang takeoff about 1440. They reported the winds gusting between 20 and 30 miles per hour almost directly across runway 15. After departure, the pilot was overheard on the radio asking the unicom operator for the distance to Flagstaff. After a few minutes the information was given to the pilot who stated his concerns about the headwinds en route. According to witness information, the pilot then circled the field for about 40 minutes during which time he contacted the unicom operator for landing information. He made several approaches between the main and crosswind runways. He expressed concern for his propeller if he used the dirt crosswind runway. The pilot landed on the main runway about 1507. According to witnesses, while taxing to the ramp, the wind caused the airplane to rotate 360 degrees on the taxiway. The pilot added 15 gallons of fuel and visited the terminal. Afterwards, the pilot taxied out to runway 15 and departed without communicating on unicom. According to witness
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions, and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft. A factor relating to the accident was: the gusty/crosswind condition.
More accidents in AZ
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Browse: Arizona
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
