Amateur-built MUSTANG II accident near Morton, Texas, April 22, 2014
On April 22, 2014 at about 3:55 pm local time, a 2014 amateur-built MUSTANG II, registered N48MK, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Morton, Texas (Cochran County Airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper landing flare after encountering a gusting crosswind and his inadequate recovery from the subsequent bounced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 22, 2014 · about 3:55 pm local time
- Place
- Morton, Texas · Cochran County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MUSTANG II, built 2014
- Registration
- N48MK · no longer on the register · serial MII2129
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the accident occurred during the third flight test of the recently completed amateur-built airplane. The pilot stated that there were no anomalies with the airplane during his preflight inspection or before-takeoff engine run-up. After an uneventful takeoff, he proceeded to a nearby practice area where he completed basic flight maneuvers and measured cruise performance parameters before returning to the airport for a full-stop landing. Upon returning to the airport, the pilot decided to land on runway 22 because it was longer and wider than the other runway, and the prevailing wind from the south-southwest favored either runway. The airplane landed hard, bounced, and then veered off the left side of the runway before the pilot could regain control. The airplane subsequently nosed over after encountering soft terrain located alongside the runway. Postaccident wreckage examinations revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A review of available wind data indicated that a gusting left crosswind component of 9 to 14 knots existed during the landing.
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
What happened, in order
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing
- Runway excursion during landing
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Ability to respond/compensate
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Ability to respond/compensate
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine
- Flight time: 5,300 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 5,225 as pilot in command; 60 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 16, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 4, 2014; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Engine Components Internationa O-360 (piston); 9 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: F85 Morton TX at 2:45 pm
- Destination: F85 Morton TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 2,710 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 162° at 10 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from MNST, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.