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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 8, 1994 · Monocoupe Aircraft 110 Special 110 Specia · N2064

Langley, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 8, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Langley, WA
Aircraft
Monocoupe Aircraft 110 Special 110 Specia
Tail Number
N2064
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA95LA004

WHILE DESCENDING TO LAND AND BANKING TO THE RIGHT, THE ELEVATOR PARTIALLY SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE AND IMPINGED UPON THE RUDDER. THE RUDDER WAS JAMMED TO THE FULL RIGHT POSITION AND AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS RENDERED IMPOSSIBLE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE AIRPLANE AFTER ALL ATTEMPTS TO REGAIN CONTROL WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE ELEVATOR HINGE ATTACH FITTING WELD HAD CORRODED FROM INSIDE AND FAILED.

NTSB Probable Cause

CORROSION AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE ELEVATOR HINGE ATTACH FITTING WELD. THIS ALLOWED THE ELEVATOR TO BEND AND IMPINGE UPON THE RUDDER, SUBSEQUENTLY JAMMING IT TO THE FULL RIGHT POSITION AND RENDERING THE AIRCRAFT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL.

Full Narrative

On October 7, 1994, about 1800 hours Pacific daylight time, N2064, a Monocoupe 110 Special airplane, operated by Frederick E. Ludtke, Sr., Freeland, Washington, was substantially damaged during a forced landing into trees in Langley, Washington. The forced landing was precipitated by a flight control malfunction while descending. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight departed from Everett, Washington, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot, the airplane's rudder jammed into a full right deflection while the pilot was descending through 5,000 feet mean sea level and banking to the right. According to the pilot, "the result was a snap rolling entry into a right spin with the right rudder pedal in the full forward limit of travel." The pilot attempted to control the airplane by applying various levels of engine power and available flight controls. Full aircraft control could not be regained by the pilot. The airplane continued to descend in a bank and a "dramatic skid." The pilot stated that he decided to "slow the airplane down" and settle into trees. The airplane impacted trees and was substantially damaged. Subsequent examination of the airplane revealed that the elevator hinge attach fitting had separated, allowing the elevator to partially detach from the airplane. An examination of the attach fitting revealed that the weld had failed. Corrosion was observed inside a void between the elevator hinge attach fitting base plate and the mating horizontal stabilizer spar.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMonocoupe Aircraft 110 Special 110 Specia
Tail NumberN2064
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWarner · SCARAB 165 · Reciprocating · 165
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 7 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data