2009 Schendl Mustang II Crash Near West Union, Ohio (N152AS)

Accident Overview and Flight History On June 24, 2009, at 2041 EDT, an experimental amateur-built Schendl model Mustang II airplane, registration N152AS, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Alexander Salamon Airport (KAMT) near West Union, Ohio. The pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the private pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the local flight was operated without a flight plan. The aircraft had completed two flight legs since receiving its airworthiness certificate. On the day of the accident, the pilot was observed working on the engine and completing several taxi tests before departure. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane on initial climb from runway 5 when the engine began running rough, with one witness observing smoke. The aircraft turned back toward the airport before entering a nose-down, spiraling descent until impact, followed by a ground fire that consumed the cabin and cockpit.