Wood MUSTANG II FB N112MW

Summary

On 4 October 2012 at about 16:30 local time, a Wood MUSTANG II FB registered N112MW was involved in an accident near San Manuel, Arizona, 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

4 October 2012 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

San Manuel, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

San Manuel Airport (E77)

Coordinates

32.6353, -110.6417

Aircraft

Wood MUSTANG II FB

Registration

N112MW

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

San Manuel → San Manuel

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13LA002

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to final approach due to his distraction by the low engine oil pressure, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was flying on the first flight in the airplane since certification. Shortly after takeoff, he reported over a common airport frequency that the airplane had low engine oil pressure and that he was returning to the airport to land. Witnesses observed the airplane maneuver from the downwind leg to final approach for the intended runway by executing a 180-degree left turn. One witness observed the airplane's bank increase to about 90 degrees and descend out of sight. Another witness observed that the airplane was low and slow and appeared to stall. The witness stated that the left wing dropped and that the airplane went straight down. Postaccident examination of the airframe, flight control components, and the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that, because this was the pilot's first flight in the airplane and he was distracted by the low oil pressure, he failed to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, and the airplane subsequently stalled. The toxicology report indicated that the pilot was taking medication for several medical conditions; however, insufficient information was available to determine if the pilot's medical conditions contributed to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.