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NTSB Report
July 9, 1989 · Cushing C2 · N129C
John Day, OR
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 9, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
John Day, OR
Aircraft
Cushing C2
Tail Number
N129C
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA89LA130
PRIOR TO THE PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN ASSEMBLING THE LEFT WING, THE MOUNT BOLTS WOULD NOT ALIGN. THE PILOT DRILLED NEW HOLES ELONGATING THE ORIGINAL HOLES. THE WING WAS ASSEMBLED AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF. JUST AFTER LIFT OFF, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO PORPOISE. SHORTLY THERE AFTER, THE LEFT WING FOLDED BACK AND UP. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED INVERTED TO THE LEFT AND SKIDDED DOWN THE RUNWAY. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE WING BROKE AWAY AT THE SPAR. DRY ROT WAS NOTED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT IMPROPERLY CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE AIRPLANE BY ELONGATING HOLES AT THE WING ATTACHMENT. THE CHANGE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL. AS A RESULT OF THE CHANGE, THE WING SEPARATED AT THE SPAR.
Full Narrative
PRIOR TO THE PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN ASSEMBLING THE LEFT WING, THE MOUNT BOLTS WOULD NOT ALIGN. THE PILOT DRILLED NEW HOLES ELONGATING THE ORIGINAL HOLES. THE WING WAS ASSEMBLED AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF. JUST AFTER LIFT OFF, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO PORPOISE. SHORTLY THERE AFTER, THE LEFT WING FOLDED BACK AND UP. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED INVERTED TO THE LEFT AND SKIDDED DOWN THE RUNWAY. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE WING BROKE AWAY AT THE SPAR. DRY ROT WAS NOTED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:43 PDT
Nearest AirportJOHNDAY (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length3436 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCushing C2
Tail NumberN129C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · UNKNOWN · Reciprocating · 90
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO