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April 6, 2021 · Forisch Edward Bushby Mustang M II · N61EF

Worcester, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 6, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Worcester, MA
Aircraft
Forisch Edward Bushby Mustang M II (1989)
Tail Number
N61EF
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA21LA177

According to the pilot, he recently purchased the airplane and needed 3 hours of dual instruction before his insurance would be effective. He and a flight instructor were taking off and the airplane was about 6 feet above ground level when it began to roll to the right. The pilot attempted to apply left aileron control but was unable to move the control stick to the left. He told the flight instructor about the problem and they both tried to move the control stick to the left, but it would not move. The pilot rejected the takeoff and landed in the grass to the right side of the runway. Both main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid to a stop. Examination of the left aileron bellcrank and push/pull rod revealed that the rod was contacting the access hole in the aft spar. The rivets that hold the threaded insert into the rod were contacting the edge of the spar and binding. This condition would have resulted in the uncommanded right turn experienced during the accident flight. After disconnecting the left aileron push/pull rod from the bellcrank, the control stick moved freely in the full range of motion.

NTSB Probable Cause

Binding of the left aileron bellcrank push/pull rod, which resulted in an uncommanded right turn.

Full Narrative

On April 6, 2021, about 1500 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Bushby Mustang M II, N61EF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Worcester, Massachusetts. The flight instructor and the pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The commercial pilot, who was the new owner of the airplane, stated that he hired the flight instructor to ferry the airplane from Fresno, California to Worcester Regional Airport (ORH), Worcester, Massachusetts. Then the flight instructor was to provide him with 3 hours of dual flight instruction before his insurance coverage would be effective. He further stated that on the day of the accident, the flight instructor had him perform three high-speed taxis to demonstrate directional control. The flight instructor was pleased with the control shown and cleared him for flight. During takeoff, about 6 feet above ground level, the airplane began a roll to the right. The pilot stated he attempted to apply left aileron control but was unable to move the control stick to the left. He told the flight instructor about the problem and they both tried to move the control stick to the left, but it would not move. At this point, the pilot aborted the takeoff and landed the airplane in the grass to the right side of the runway. Both main landing gears collapsed, and the airplane slid to a stop. They shut down the electrical system, shut off the fuel, and egressed the airplane. The flight instructor’s description of the accident flight was consistent with that provided by the pilot. The wreckage was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. An attempt to cycle the control stick was unsuccessful with binding in movement to the left. Examination of the left aileron bellcrank and push/pull rod revealed that the rod was contacting the access hole in the aft spar. The rivets that hold the threaded insert into the rod were contacting the edge of the spar and binding. After disconnecting the left aileron push/pull rod from the bellcrank, the control stick moved freely in the full range of motion.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EDT
Nearest AirportWorcester Rgnl (0nm N)
Runway33
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftForisch Edward Bushby Mustang M II
Tail NumberN61EF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D1A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 70 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 66 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 28 F
Altimeter29.84 inHg
Observation Time14:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data