North Wing Mustang II 17.5 accident near Tracy, California, October 26, 2007
On October 26, 2007 at about 3:00 am local time, a North Wing Mustang II 17.5, registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tracy, California (New Jerusalem airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Failure or disconnection of a wing support/brace assembly for undetermined reasons during an undetermined phase of flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 26, 2007 · about 3:00 am local time
- Place
- Tracy, California · New Jerusalem · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North Wing Mustang II 17.5
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial None Registered
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
No witnesses observed the pilot depart on the flight or the accident sequence. The pilot owned and operated the unregistered airplane. Based upon an examination of the accident site and wreckage, the airplane experienced an in-flight non-mechanical structural failure, which resulted in a loss of wing rigidity. The airplane impacted the ground in an uncontrolled descent. All major structural airframe and engine components were accounted for at the site. The leading edges of the wings were mostly undamaged, indicating they folded prior to impact. A propeller chunk was found imbedded in a strut, indicating crankshaft rotation under torque during the accident sequence as the wings folded. Hardware associated with the pullback shackle (assembly), which provides structural support to the wings for rigidity, was missing. The wings were found folded inward from their normal in-flight rigid position. Specifically, a bolt, horseshoe shackle, and the nylon strap were missing. Because these components were not located, no determination could be made regarding whether the bolt had failed, the nut had become loose, or the parts had been inadequately modified following their manufacture. The airplane did not meet the requirements of FAR Part 103, and night flying was not permissible under FAA regulation. Toxicology revealed evidence of tetrahydrocannabinol and tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (marihuana) in blood samples.
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, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,000 hours in all; 1,300 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 1,500 as pilot in command; 300 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 150 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1Q4 Tracy CA
- Destination: 1Q4 Tracy CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night, bright
- Wind: from 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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 UNREG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.