Pilot Debrief

GETTEN MARVIN T QUICKIE Q2 near Albuquerque, NM — 2011-05-06

Final reportCEN11CA326
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Date
2011-05-06
Location
Albuquerque, NM, USA
Airport
ABQ
Aircraft
GETTEN MARVIN T QUICKIE Q2
Registration
N314JF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of elevator control, due to control stick's counter-weight binding with the airplane's header tank.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was becoming familiar with the experimental airplane he had just purchased by practicing taxi tests. He decided to take the airplane on a flight and during the initial takeoff, he experienced some binding on the control stick, but dismissed it as just requiring some lubrication. He flew for about an hour and decided to practice a few approaches. On the third approach, he realized that he was unable to move the control stick forward, but he was able to control the airplane's altitude by engine power and trim. He elected to divert to another airport and performed an emergency landing. During the landing the airplane bounced twice, the propeller struck the ground and the airplane's left canard/landing gear separated. The pilot reported that the pivot bolt holding the counterweight was tight and the counterweight had a little movement which allowed the weight to bind with the airplane's header tank.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have addressed control stick binding before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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