North Wing Mustang accident near Albany, Oregon, July 10, 2021
On July 10, 2021 at about 3:51 am local time, a 2015 North Wing Mustang (weight-shift aircraft), an amateur-built aircraft,, registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Albany, Oregon. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The noncertificated pilot’s loss of aircraft control after a low-level turn with a bank angle that exceeded the manufacturer’s operating limitations.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 10, 2021 · about 3:51 am local time
- Place
- Albany, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North Wing Mustang 3, built 2015, amateur-built
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial 510282
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After departure, the pilot of the weight-shift-control trike flew for about 3.3 miles. When the trike was at an altitude of about 230 ft above the ground, it banked to the left in an almost 90° turn. The left wing continued to drop down, and the aircraft descended toward the ground as the turn tightened. The aircraft impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude. Postaccident examination of the aircraft, including the flight controls, structure, and engine, revealed no evidence of any mechanical anomalies. The engine speed was within its normal range while the aircraft was banked. According to the manufacturer, the aircraft’s limitations included not exceeding bank angles of 60° and pitch angles of 30°. The manufacturer’s manual stated that flying the aircraft with a bank angle exceeding 60° “should never be attempted under any circumstance.” The pilot flew the aircraft in a manner that was not consistent with the manufacturer’s guidance and lost control of the aircraft during the low-level left turn due to the excessive bank angle.
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
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
Pilot
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,060 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Yamaha RX-1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S21 Albany OR at 3:00 am
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 pm from KSLE, 13 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSLE 100356Z AUTO 29005KT 10SM CLR 27/13 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP154 T02670133
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on August 16, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Video Study | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigative Supplemental Material | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Materials Laboratory Note About Cable | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Records of Conversations | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Witness Video 1 | video | View Download |
| 6 | Witness Video 2 | video | View Download |
| 7 | Medical Factual Report | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Toxicological Report - Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.