What happened
On June 24, 2009, at 20:41 EDT, a Schendl Mustang II, registration N152AS, crashed approximately 3/4 miles northeast of Alexander Salamon Airport (KAMT) near West Union, Ohio. The flight was a local operation conducted under visual meteorological conditions with 10 miles of visibility.
Prior to departure, the pilot was observed performing engine work and taxi tests. During the initial climb from runway 5, witnesses reported the engine began running rough and observed smoke trailing from the aircraft. The airplane was seen turning back toward the airport before entering a nose-down, spiraling descent into the terrain. A post-impact fire occurred, which consumed the cockpit and cabin areas.
The investigation
The investigation examined the wreckage of the single-engine, two-place monoplane. The aircraft came to rest upright in an open field. While the post-impact fire destroyed the fuselage cabin, the engine remained attached to the firewall. Examination of the engine and propeller revealed no anomalies that would have caused a pre-impact loss of power. The propeller blades showed no significant damage, and the crankshaft remained intact.
Toxicology results showed the presence of Butalbital in the pilot's blood and liver; however, the levels were significantly lower than a typical therapeutic dose and were not expected to cause impairment. The pilot, who was also a certified mechanic, had 1 fatal injury resulting from multiple blunt force injuries sustained during the impact.
Findings
- The aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall/spin while the pilot was attempting to return to the airport.
- The engine experienced a loss of power for undetermined reasons during the initial climb.
- The pilot failed to maintain sufficient airspeed following the engine malfunction.