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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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November 4, 2005 · Lee Kolb Mark III Classic · N515AB

Tucson, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 4, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Tucson, AZ
Aircraft
Lee Kolb Mark III Classic
Tail Number
N515AB
Operator
Wiliam D Fulton
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX06CA027

The airplane made a forced landing after the horizontal stabilizer attachment failed in flight. The instructional flight departed with the intention of practicing takeoffs and landings. On the downwind leg, the pilots heard a loud bang. The airplane lurched nose up, then nose down. The flight instructor took control of the aircraft and informed the tower he had a flight control problem. He was able to land the aircraft using cross control inputs. The instructor inspected the airplane and determined that the right horizontal stabilizer had separated from the fuselage due to a stainless steel "L" bracket failure. The instructor attributed the failure to a loose bolt in the "L" bracket that allowed a vibration and caused metal fatigue of the component.

NTSB Probable Cause

the fatigue failure of the attachment that secured the horizontal stabilizer to the fuselage.

Full Narrative

On November 4, 2005, about 0830 mountain standard time, an experimental Lee Kolb Mark III Classic, N515AB, suffered an in-flight right horizontal stabilizer attachment failure at Ryan Airfield Airport (RYN), Tucson, Arizona. The pilot operated the borrowed airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport certified flight instructor (CFI) pilot, and the student pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The instructional flight departed RYN about 0830. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot stated that the accident occurred on the downwind to landing phase of the traffic pattern. The instructional flight departed with the intention of practicing takeoffs and landings. On the right downwind leg they heard a "loud bang." The airplane lurched nose up, then nose down. The flight instructor took control of the aircraft and informed the tower he had a "serious" control problem. The pilot was able to land the aircraft using cross control inputs. After landing, the CFI was able to taxi safely to parking. Upon inspection of the airplane by the CFI, it was determined that the right horizontal stabilizer had separated from the fuselage due to a stainless steel "L" bracket failure. In the CFI's Description of Damage to Aircraft and Other Property section of his written report, he indicated that a bolt in the "L" bracket was found slightly loose, "which allowed a slight vibration and this caused metal fatigue over its 545 [hours] of flight [time]." ADDITIONAL INFORMATION As a result of the accident, the pilot recommended to other Kolb owners (via the Kolb Kolb owner website) to replace the "L" brackets at the 250-hour inspection and to install a second set of stabilizer cables on the horizontal stabilizer.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 MST
Nearest AirportRyan Field Airport (0nm)
Runway6
Runway Length4900 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLee Kolb Mark III Classic
Tail NumberN515AB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWiliam D Fulton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912S · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 80 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data