Amateur-built Mustang II accident near Hampstead, North Carolina, December 4, 2001
On December 4, 2001 at about 4:00 pm local time, a amateur-built Mustang II, registered N888PW, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hampstead, North Carolina. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent nose over during landing roll. A factor was the soft, unsuitable terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 4, 2001 · about 4:00 pm local time · cases in 2001
- Place
- Hampstead, North Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Mustang II
- Registration
- N888PW · no longer on the register · serial 1699
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight at 2000 feet, the engine lost power. The pilot noticed the fuel gauge read 15 psi. The pilot turned on the electric fuel boost pump, and the fuel system pressure increased to 20 psi. Attempts to restart the engine were not successful. The pilot executed a forced landing in a field clear of trees. During landing roll in the soft field, the airplane traveled less than 50 feet and nosed over. The airplane had departed with approximately 30 gallons of fuel.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,200 hours in all; 2 in this make and model
- Last flight review: December 8, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 26, 2001; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,850 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-320-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Topsail NC at 3:00 pm
- Destination: PVT Topsail NC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observation at 3:54 pm from ILM, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N888PW the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N888PW: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Engine: Lycoming IO-320-B1A 56 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Accidents and incidents in North Carolina 1,762 since 1982 · 304 in the last ten years
- North Carolina 7,123 aircraft registered
- Other NTSB records under N888PW 1 records · the number may have belonged to another aircraft at the time
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ATL02LA016.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.