Gage MIDGET MUSTANG MM-1 N41831

Summary

On 11 August 2012 at about 20:00 local time, a Gage MIDGET MUSTANG MM-1 registered N41831 was involved in an accident near Erie, Colorado, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 August 2012 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Erie, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Erie Muncipal (EIK)

Coordinates

40.0103, -105.0464

Aircraft

Gage MIDGET MUSTANG MM-1

Registration

N41831

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Erie → Casper

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12CA537

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had just purchased the single-seat airplane and that he had discussed the operation of the airplane with the previous owner. The pilot stated that this was the first flight in the airplane for him; the wind was calm when he lined up for takeoff, and as he started the takeoff roll, a left quartering wind blew the airplane off the runway. The pilot further stated that once the airplane’s wheel got onto the grass, he was unable to correct the turn. The airplane continued off the runway, impacted a ditch, and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its vertical stabilizer and fuselage during the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.