North Wing MUSTANG II 17.5 UNREG

Summary

On 26 October 2007 at about 03:00 local time, a North Wing MUSTANG II 17.5 registered UNREG, operated by Paul M. Splan, was involved in an accident near Tracy, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 October 2007 at 03:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Tracy, California, United States

Nearest airport

New Jerusalem (1Q4)

Coordinates

37.6636, -121.2972

Aircraft

North Wing MUSTANG II 17.5

Registration

UNREG

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Paul M. Splan

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tracy → Tracy

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Bright

NTSB number

LAX08LA024

1 person died.

Failure or disconnection of a wing support/brace assembly for undetermined reasons during an undetermined phase of flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

No witnesses observed the pilot depart on the flight or the accident sequence. The pilot owned and operated the unregistered airplane. Based upon an examination of the accident site and wreckage, the airplane experienced an in-flight non-mechanical structural failure, which resulted in a loss of wing rigidity. The airplane impacted the ground in an uncontrolled descent. All major structural airframe and engine components were accounted for at the site. The leading edges of the wings were mostly undamaged, indicating they folded prior to impact. A propeller chunk was found imbedded in a strut, indicating crankshaft rotation under torque during the accident sequence as the wings folded. Hardware associated with the pullback shackle (assembly), which provides structural support to the wings for rigidity, was missing. The wings were found folded inward from their normal in-flight rigid position. Specifically, a bolt, horseshoe shackle, and the nylon strap were missing. Because these components were not located, no determination could be made regarding whether the bolt had failed, the nut had become loose, or the parts had been inadequately modified following their manufacture. The airplane did not meet the requirements of FAR Part 103, and night flying was not permissible under FAA regulation. Toxicology revealed evidence of tetrahydrocannabinol and tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (marihuana) in blood samples.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.