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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 8, 2013 · Sweet Wayne A Bushby Mustang II · N54WS

Woodstock, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 8, 2013
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Woodstock, IL
Aircraft
Sweet Wayne A Bushby Mustang II
Tail Number
N54WS
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13LA536

While at an altitude of 2,200 feet above ground level, the engine began to lose partial power. The pilot attempted to regain engine power by switching the fuel selector to the auxiliary or header tank; however, the engine subsequently lost total power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted vegetation and came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the airplane showed that the right wing fuel tank was empty and left wing fuel tank contained some fuel. The auxiliary or header fuel tank was full of fuel. Examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was functionally tested on the airframe. During the functional test, the engine started and operated without any anomalies noted. It is likely that the pilot was feeding fuel to the engine from a wing tank and did not switch to the auxiliary tank in time before the engine lost power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Full Narrative

On September 8, 2013, approximately 1750 central daylight time, a Sweet Bushby Mustang II airplane, N54WS, impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Woodstock, Illinois. The commercial pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed Council Bluffs, Iowa, approximately 1630 and was destined for Grayslake, Illinois. According to local authorities who spoke with the pilot, while at an altitude of 2,200 feet above ground level, the engine began to lose partial power. The pilot attempted to regain engine power by switching the fuel selector to the auxiliary or header tank; however, the engine subsequently lost total power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted vegetation and came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector showed that the right wing fuel tank was empty and left wing fuel tank contained some fuel. The auxiliary or header fuel tank was full of fuel. The inspector removed the fuel line from the fuel manifold and activated the fuel pump. Fuel flowed from the fuel line when the fuel pump was activated. The airplane was recovered for further examination. Under supervision of a FAA inspector, the engine was functionally tested on the airframe utilizing the auxiliary fuel tank. During the functional test, the engine started and operated without any anomalies noted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:50 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSweet Wayne A Bushby Mustang II
Tail NumberN54WS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data