Pilot Debrief

ROGER M ALLEN RA2 near Hector, MN — 2017-08-06

Final reportCEN17LA304
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Date
2017-08-06
Location
Hector, MN, USA
Airport
1D6
Aircraft
ROGER M ALLEN RA2
Registration
N952RA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper installation of the control stick hardware, which resulted in a loss of elevator control in flight.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot and passenger were departing on a local flight in the experimental, amateur-built airplane. The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, he pulled back on the control stick, but instead of rotating off the runway, the airplane bounced, then pitched straight up. Once airborne, the airplane did not respond to the pilot's control inputs. The pilot reduced the engine power and the airplane stalled. The nose dropped, and the airplane subsequently impacted terrain. Examination found that the control stick was not connected to the elevator bracket. A search of the wreckage did not locate any nut that would have secured the bolt. The pilot reported that he would have used a castellated nut with a cotter pin to secure the bolt; however, he could not remember installing the nut. The airplane had been flown 6 or 7 times before the accident flight and it is likely that the nut backed off during that time. The accident is consistent with a loss of elevator control due to the pilot's failure to properly secure the control stick to the elevator bracket.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured control stick was properly secured before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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