MCKEEHAN JAMES F ACRODUSTER II SA750 near Panama City, FL — 2008-06-16

Probable cause

The pilot's inability to recover from an intentional aerobatic maneuver due to loss of aileron control. Contributing to the accident was the installation of an inadequate aileron secondary stop block against the main spar of both lower wings.

NTSB narrative

The passenger reported that the pilot had performed a thorough preflight inspection of the airplane and that after takeoff he performed aerobatic maneuvers over a practice area. Before the last maneuver the pilot asked the passenger if he wanted to perform what he thought was a tail slide. The flight climbed to 3,500 feet and the pilot initiated the maneuver and, after falling for a few seconds, attempted to recover. The pilot appeared to bring the nose level briefly with full power, but the airplane then started rolling to the left and right, as well as up and down, and the pilot announced that there was a malfunction. The pilot informed him to bail out of the airplane, which he did. The airplane crashed inverted in a heavily wooded area, and the passenger was unharmed. Following recovery of the airplane, inspection of the elevator and rudder flight controls by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Inspection of the aileron flight control system revealed that wooden aileron secondary stop blocks were attached to the main spars; however, the shape was different than the stop block depicted in the builder's guide. Additionally, scrape marks associated with each aileron outer bellcrank were noted on structural support tubes inside both lower wings.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Loss of control

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have avoided aerobatic maneuvers without sufficient experience.

NTSB coding

• Flight control sys malf/fail · Maneuvering-aerobatics
• Maintenance

Evidence available

• ATC audio
• Photos
• 18 docket documents

Docket documents18

• FAA Inspector Statementinterview
• Passenger Statementinterview
• Drawings (engineering sketches)other
• E-mails from Pilot's Father Concerning 2002 Repair and Airplane Time Since Condition Inspection.other
• Excerpt from Airframe Logbookother
• Excerpts from Airworthiness Fileother
• Excerpts from Pilot Logbookother
• Record of NTSB Conversationsother
• Photo 1: Digital Picture Provided by Insurance Adjuster. View Showing the Airplane Following Recovery.photos
• Photo 2: Digital Picture Provided by Pilot's Father. View of the Left Outer Aileron Bellcrank, Secondary Aileron Stop, and Section of Drag Truss.photos
• Photo 3: Digital Picture Provided by Pilot's Father. View of the Right Outer Aileron Bellcrank, Secondary Aileron Stop, and Sections of Drag Trusses.photos
• Photo 4: Digital Picture Provided by Pilot's Father. View of the Left Outer Aileron Bellcrank and Scrape Damage to Drag Truss.photos
• Photo 5: Digital Picture Provided by Pilot's Father. View of the Right Outer Aileron Bellcrank and Scrape Damage to Drag Truss.photos
• Photo 6: Digital Picture Provided by Pilot's Father. View Showing Both Inboard Aileron Bellcranks. Securing Hardware was Removed Prior to the Picture Being Taken. Note, each Bellcrank is Bent Slightly Up.photos
• Pilot Flight Control Discrepancy Reportsreport
• Toxicological Reportreport
• Weather Reports and Recordsreport
• Transcript of Radio Communicationstranscript

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