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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 29, 1994 · Glen A Senecal 5151 · N5246G

Apple Valley, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 29, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Apple Valley, CA
Aircraft
Glen A Senecal 5151
Tail Number
N5246G
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX95LA023

THE PILOT LOST AILERON CONTROL WHILE PERFORMING A LOW-ALTITUDE FLYBY. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE ON THE RUNWAY. THE REMAINING RUNWAY, HOWEVER, WAS INSUFFICIENT TO STOP THE AIRPLANE AND THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE AILERON REVEALED THAT THE AILERON CABLE SEPARATED FROM ITS ATTACH POINT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AILERON WAS NOT PROPERLY BALANCED.

NTSB Probable Cause

the manufacturer's (owner/operator) improper balancing of the aileron flight controls which resulted in a cable separation due to overload from the aileron flutter. The rough/uneven terrain was also a factor.

Full Narrative

On October 29, 1994, at 1208 hours Pacific daylight time, an amateur built Glen A. Senecal 5151 (a.k.a. midget mustang), N5246G, collided with the terrain after experiencing an aileron in-flight flutter at Apple Valley Airport, Apple Valley, California. The pilot was performing low flybys during an air show at Apple Valley Airport. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Apple Valley Airport at 1153 hours. National Transportation Safety Board investigators conducted a telephone interview with the pilot on October 29, 1994. The pilot said that the airplane developed a severe aileron flutter condition when it was at midfield. The pilot immediately landed the airplane with its landing gears extended. The airplane touched down on the runway, but exited the runway environment during the skid. The main landing gear collapsed when the airplane entered onto the soft terrain. The pilot said in the aircraft accident report that the aileron was unbalanced. He said this condition caused the flutter. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations inspector from the Riverside [California] Flight Standards District Office witnessed the accident. He told Safety Board investigators that the flutter was very obvious from his vantage point. He said that he examined the airplane immediately after the accident. His examination disclosed that the right aileron cable was loose.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:08 PDT
Nearest AirportApple Valley (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length6500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGlen A Senecal 5151
Tail NumberN5246G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility100 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data