Pilot Debrief

FORISCH EDWARD BUSHBY MUSTANG M II near Worcester, MA — 2021-04-06

Final reportERA21LA177
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Date
2021-04-06
Location
Worcester, MA, USA
Airport
ORH
Aircraft
FORISCH EDWARD BUSHBY MUSTANG M II
Registration
N61EF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

Binding of the left aileron bellcrank push/pull rod, which resulted in an uncommanded right turn.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he recently purchased the airplane and needed 3 hours of dual instruction before his insurance would be effective. He and a flight instructor were taking off and the airplane was about 6 feet above ground level when it began to roll to the right. The pilot attempted to apply left aileron control but was unable to move the control stick to the left. He told the flight instructor about the problem and they both tried to move the control stick to the left, but it would not move. The pilot rejected the takeoff and landed in the grass to the right side of the runway. Both main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid to a stop. Examination of the left aileron bellcrank and push/pull rod revealed that the rod was contacting the access hole in the aft spar. The rivets that hold the threaded insert into the rod were contacting the edge of the spar and binding. This condition would have resulted in the uncommanded right turn experienced during the accident flight. After disconnecting the left aileron push/pull rod from the bellcrank, the control stick moved freely in the full range of motion.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff earlier when control issues first arose.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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