Amateur-built BUSHBY MUSTANG II accident near Maricopa, Arizona, April 20, 2021
On April 20, 2021 at about 6:50 pm local time, a 1982 amateur-built BUSHBY MUSTANG II, registered N284ND, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Maricopa, Arizona (Ak-Chin Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff with a quartering right tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 20, 2021 · about 6:50 pm local time
- Place
- Maricopa, Arizona · Ak-Chin Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BUSHBY MUSTANG II, built 1982
- Registration
- N284ND · registry record · serial MII 601
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, crosswind conditions existed when he began the takeoff roll in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. After reaching takeoff speed, the airplane began to veer left of the centerline. He applied right rudder control inputs, but the airplane would not return to the center of the runway. He applied aft elevator control and the airplane became airborne, but the airplane settled back down on the right wing, followed by the left wing, then struck the runway surface and the airplane spun around. The airplane came to rest at the midfield taxiway intersection, after travelling about 200 ft along the ground. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction which would have precluded normal operation. A review of weather information indicated that the airplane likely departed with a quartering right tailwind.
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
- Landing gear collapse during takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Effect on equipment
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 700 hours in all; 40 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 22, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 479 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 18, 2021; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 E2D (piston); 99 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 04/2, 4,751 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 12°F (-11°C)
- Observation at 11:56 am from KCGZ, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCGZ 201856Z AUTO 17008KT 130V230 10SM CLR 31/M11 RMK AO2 SLPNO T03061106 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.