Amateur-built BUSBY MUSTANG N72PC accident near Plant City, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

After takeoff, the flight proceeded to another airport where the pilot landed uneventfully and fueled at a self-service 100 low-lead (100LL) fuel pump. The airplane departed and proceeded towards the accident area where two witnesses on the ground reported hearing the engine sputter. One witness reported that the airplane flew low over his house with a rough-running engine. He additionally reported that the engine then lost power and the propeller stopped. The airplane pitched nose down indicative of a stall, then descended through tree before impacting the ground. A postaccident inspection of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction. Remnants of sealing compound from the wingtip tanks were found in the carburetor bowl but the discharge nozzle of the carburetor was not obstructed. Additionally, the fuel selector from the wingtip fuel tanks was noted to be faulty, allowing fuel to flow to the engine regardless of the position of the valve. No determination could be made as to the reason for the witness-reported loss of engine power.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10LA086 for the full record.