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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

March 3, 1995 · Mooney M20C · N7836V

Omak, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 3, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Omak, WA
Aircraft
Mooney M20C
Tail Number
N7836V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA95LA058

THE PILOT, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH AT 500 FEET AGL, LOST ELEVATOR CONTROL WHEN THE ELEVATOR PUSH ROD SEPARATED DUE TO BENDING FATIGUE. THE MONOBALL BEARING WAS FOUND TO BE FROZEN AND CORRODED. THE AIRCRAFT HAD UNDERGONE AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WHEN PURCHASED 108 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND THE FLIGHT CONTROLS HAD BEEN SIGNED OFF AS LUBRICATED. NO AD LISTING WAS FOUND, HOWEVER, TO VERIFY WHETHER AD 73-21-01 HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH AT THE ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE AD, WHICH REQUIRED LUBRICATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS EVERY 100 HOURS, WAS 8 HOURS OVERDUE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE ELEVATOR PUSH ROD SEPARATION DUE TO FATIGUE. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO INSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE AND THE FROZEN PUSH ROD BEARING.

Full Narrative

On March 3, 1995, approximately 1510 hours Pacific standard time (pst), a Mooney M20C, N7836V, being flown by a certificated private pilot, was substantially damaged during collision with terrain following a loss of control while on approach to runway 35 at the Omak Airport, Omak, Washington. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Electric City, Washington, approximately 1450. The pilot reported that while on approach and at an altitude of approximately 500 feet above ground he lost elevator control and the aircraft began a series of pitch up and nose down maneuvers. The aircraft impacted the ground in a flat, wings level attitude and slid to rest (refer to NTSB Form 6120.1/2 and Okanogan County Sheriff's Report). Post crash examination by FAA Inspector Ken Ziemer revealed a fracture and separation of the threaded end of the elevator push rod eye bolt. Metallurgical examination of the push rod separation surfaces by the NTSB's Material Laboratory revealed topography typical of high stress reverse bending fatigue. Additionally, the monoball bearing at the end of the rod was found to be frozen and corroded (refer to attached metallurgical report). The aircraft's airframe log was examined and an annual inspection was signed off on July 27, 1994, (tach time 1141.4 hours) at which time the pilot purchased and took possession of the aircraft. The annual entry reported among other entries "Lubed all flight controls" (refer to ATTACHMENT I). Two additional airframe log entries followed the annual, the first documenting a transponder test, and the second documenting the replacement of a belly strobe. No list of current Airworthiness Directives could be located and the pilot reported that he never received such a listing. The tach time on the aircraft at the time of the accident was 1249.32 hours as reported by the FAA inspector on site. This yielded a total of 108 hours time transpired since the last annual inspection. FAA Airworthiness Directive 73-21-01, which applies to Mooney M20C, serial number 2871, references the prevention of "corrosion and/or misrigging in the flight control and landing gear systems." Specifically, the AD requires that all flight controls should be lubricated every 12 months or 100 hours time in service, whichever comes first (refer to ATTACHMENT II). It was not known whether this AD was complied with at the July 27th annual.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:10 PST
Nearest AirportOMAK (1nm SSE)
Runway35
Runway Length4654 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20C
Tail NumberN7836V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1G6 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 3 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 19 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data