History of the Flight
On August 7, 2009, at approximately 1555 eastern daylight time, a Hooper Bushby Mustang MMII experimental airplane (N37JD) was destroyed when it struck trees and terrain while maneuvering near Gladwin, Michigan. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant and registered owner, sustained fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight departed Jack Barstow Airport (3BS) in Midland, Michigan, at 1540.
Radar data indicated the airplane departed 3BS from runway 06 and made a left turn northbound. It continued north and executed a series of five turns to the north and south between 2,500 and 2,700 feet mean sea level (msl). The airplane then turned south toward 3BS, and radar contact was lost.
A witness, who was flying his own airplane, observed a small red and silver airplane flying 4 to 5 miles southwest of Gladwin Zettel Memorial Airport, Gladwin, Michigan. The witness attempted to contact the airplane via radio but received no response. No other witnesses reported seeing the accident airplane.
On the morning of August 8, 2009, family members reported the airplane missing to local authorities. A search was initiated, and the wreckage was located in wooded terrain at 1530, approximately 2 miles south-southwest of the last radar target.
According to an interview with the pilot's wife conducted by local authorities, the pilot intended to fly after work on the day of the accident. He had worked a 16-hour shift that began at 2200 on August 6 and ended about 1500 on August 7. The wife reported the pilot had no health problems and did not believe he fell asleep in the airplane. She stated, "...he was a very careful pilot and if he was tired, he wouldn't have gone up [flying]."
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 52, held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument ratings and was issued a third-class medical certificate on April 10, 2008.
A review of the pilot's logbook showed that as of July 8, 2009, he had accumulated 594.2 total flight hours, with 113.7 hours in the accident airplane. In the last eight flights recorded, the pilot noted in the logbook remarks that he was conducting lazy 8s, chandelles, and steep turn maneuvers. His most recent flight review occurred on November 11, 2008. His first flight in the accident airplane was on March 20, 2007.
Aircraft Information
The 1989 Hooper Bushby Mustang MMII (serial number 502) was an experimental amateur-built, low-wing, conventional-gear airplane owned and operated by the pilot. It was powered by a four-cylinder Lycoming IO-320-B1A engine rated at 160 horsepower, equipped with a two-bladed propeller, and configured for two occupants with dual controls.
Airframe and engine logbooks showed a conditional inspection performed on March 25, 2009, at a tachometer time of 523.5 hours. The engine had accumulated 2,453.5 total hours and 581.5 hours since major overhaul.
Fueling records from 3BS indicated the airplane received 13.9 gallons of fuel on August 2, 2009. No other fuel records were located.
Meteorological Information
At 1553, the Houghton Lake (HTL) automated weather observing system, approximately 24 nautical miles north of the accident site, reported wind from 190 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 21°C, dew point 10°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.17 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the accident site. The airplane impacted terrain in a nose-low attitude, with wreckage confined to an area about 100 feet in diameter. All major components and flight control surfaces were present. No evidence of fuel was found at the site. The airplane was recovered for further examination.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy conducted on August 9, 2009, by the Gladwin County Medical Examiner listed the cause of death as trauma related to an airplane accident. Specimens were retained for toxicological analysis by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute's Forensic and Accident Research Center.
Toxicological tests were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and alcohol. Unspecified levels of ephedrine, fluconazole, and pseudoephedrine were detected in the blood and urine.
Tests and Research
On August 18, 2009, under FAA supervision, the airplane was examined. The forward fuselage was crushed aft and destroyed. The instrument panel and instruments were destroyed, but the RPM gauge indicated 1,900 RPM, the airspeed indicator showed 50 knots, and the attitude indicator glass and display were destroyed. The leading edge of both wings was crushed aft. The empennage was buckled, and stabilizer surfaces were wrinkled. Flight control continuity was confirmed to all surfaces. The engine was separated from the airframe, with earthen debris deposits around the crankcase and cylinders. The propeller hub remained attached to the crankshaft; both blades were splintered and broken, and the spinner was crushed around the hub.
Examination by FAA inspectors revealed no anomalies to the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.