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NTSB Report

August 20, 2000 · Trammell AVID Flyer · N7081M

Trinidad, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 20, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Trinidad, CO
Aircraft
Trammell AVID Flyer
Tail Number
N7081M
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN00LA155

The pilot said that on departure climb out, everything appeared normal. Suddenly, at 1,000 feet agl, he reported losing all flight control. He said the amateur built experimental airplane continued to turn to the left, and he had no elevator control. The airplane gradually spiraled down until it hit the ground. Postaccident examination revealed that the left lift strut tube threaded attachment rod had broken. The kit manufacturer said that there are approximately 1,700 airplanes flying that utilize this wing attachment assembly, and the manufacturer has no record of any similar failures. The pilot said that he built the airplane in 1989, and it was substantially damaged in 1991. He said that he purchased new wings and most of the hardware was replaced new. He said that he replaced the left strut attachment bracket on the rebuilt airplane. It was not determined why the left lift strut attachment rod failed.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of wing lift strut attachment rod for an unknown reason, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control during initial takeoff climb.

Full Narrative

On August 20, 2000, approximately 1200 mountain daylight time, a Trammell Avid Flyer experimental home-built airplane, N7081M, was substantially damaged following a loss of aircraft control and subsequent impact with terrain near Perry Stokes Airport, Trinidad, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was seriously injured. The pilot built, owned, and operated the airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot said that he needed approximately half an hour of flight time to complete in order to meet his FAA required 40 hour sign off requirement. On departure climb out, everything appeared normal. Suddenly, at 1,000 feet above the ground, he lost all flight control. He said that the airplane continued to turn to the left, and he had no elevator control. The pilot said that if he maintained 65 mph that the wings would stay "somewhat level." The airplane gradually spiraled down until it hit the ground. The impact with terrain displaced the engine aft into the cockpit area. Postaccident examination of the airplane by the kit manufacturer revealed that the left lift strut tube threaded attachment rod was broken. This failure permitted the wing's warp to dissipate. Subsequently, this warp adjustment failure bound the flight controls for both ailerons and elevators. The kit manufacturer said that there are approximately 1,700 airplanes flying that utilize this wing attachment assembly, and the manufacturer has no record of any similar failures. The pilot said that he built the airplane in 1989, and that it was substantially damaged in 1991. He said that he purchased new wings and most of the hardware was replaced new. He said that he replaced the left strut attachment bracket on the rebuilt airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTrammell AVID Flyer
Tail NumberN7081M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 532 · Reciprocating · 64
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 11 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data