Amateur-built MUSTANG II FB accident near San Manuel, Arizona, October 4, 2012
On October 4, 2012 at about 4:30 pm local time, a amateur-built MUSTANG II FB, registered N112MW, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near San Manuel, Arizona (San Manuel 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
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to final approach due to his distraction by the low engine oil pressure, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 4, 2012 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- San Manuel, Arizona · San Manuel Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MUSTANG II FB
- Registration
- N112MW · no longer on the register · serial 963
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was flying on the first flight in the airplane since certification. Shortly after takeoff, he reported over a common airport frequency that the airplane had low engine oil pressure and that he was returning to the airport to land. Witnesses observed the airplane maneuver from the downwind leg to final approach for the intended runway by executing a 180-degree left turn. One witness observed the airplane's bank increase to about 90 degrees and descend out of sight. Another witness observed that the airplane was low and slow and appeared to stall. The witness stated that the left wing dropped and that the airplane went straight down. Postaccident examination of the airframe, flight control components, and the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that, because this was the pilot's first flight in the airplane and he was distracted by the low oil pressure, he failed to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, and the airplane subsequently stalled. The toxicology report indicated that the pilot was taking medication for several medical conditions; however, insufficient information was available to determine if the pilot's medical conditions contributed to the accident.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Attention › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,190 hours in all; 1 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: August 6, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 1, 2012; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,588 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: E77 San Manuel AZ at 4:30 pm
- Destination: E77 San Manuel AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 11, 4,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 4:30 pm from E77, 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.