Darrell D. Dugger Mustang II accident near Cheyenne, Wyoming, February 20, 2022
On February 20, 2022 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 2013 Darrell D. Dugger Mustang II, registered N121DD, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Cheyenne, Wyoming (Cheyenne Rgnl/Jerry Olson Fld airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was 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 directional control during the takeoff roll which resulted in an aborted takeoff and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 20, 2022 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Cheyenne, Wyoming · Cheyenne Rgnl/Jerry Olson Fld · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Darrell D. Dugger Mustang II, built 2013
- Registration
- N121DD · registry record · serial 12136
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll he encountered a right crosswind, and the airplane began to deviate to the left of the runway centerline. He attempted to correct the movement with application of right rudder, but the pilot was unsuccessful in correcting his course. To avoid a possible runway excursion, the pilot decided to fly in ground effect. He rotated and the airplane lifted off the runway; however, the left wing immediately dropped, and the airplane struck the ground. The pilot aborted the takeoff attempt, and the airplane landed in grass. The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 on ground during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 712 hours in all; 60 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 648 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 25, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 137 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 14, 2022; 57 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D3G (piston); 137 hours total
The flight
- Destination: PUB Pueblo CO
- Runway 13, 6,690 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 7°F (-14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.71 inHg
- Observation at 3:58 pm from KFEW, 3 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KFEW 202258Z AUTO 18011KT 10SM CLR 11/M14 A2971 RMK AO2 SLP028 T01071141 PWINO $
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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR22LA102.