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August 16, 2009 · Thrush Aircraft S2R-T660 · N660RB

Worthington, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 2009
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Worthington, MN
Aircraft
Thrush Aircraft S2R-T660
Tail Number
N660RB
Operator
Boardman Air Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN09LA526

The pilot reported he heard and felt a “loud pop” at the end of a spray run and realized he did not have elevator control. The pilot controlled the pitch attitude using power and elevator trim as he flew back to an airport to land. The pilot decided to land at a higher than normal airspeed so he could maintain control of the airplane. The airplane bounced twice during the landing. During the second runway impact, the main gear collapsed. The airplane slid approximately 200 feet and veered off the right side of the runway prior to coming to rest and sustained substantial damage to the right wing. A post accident examination of the airplane revealed the elevator push-pull rod was fractured through the first full thread of the threaded shaft adjacent to the conical section. The remaining threaded section of the rod was threaded into the monoball spherical bearing fitting. A metallurgical examination revealed a fatigue fracture that initiated from both sides of the threaded shank on the rod end. Examination of the monoball bearing revealed several dents in the metallic bearing shield. The shape, size, and location of the dents and the deformation of the bearing shield were consistent with over-travel contact by the boss on the monoball bearing.

NTSB Probable Cause

A fatigue failure of the elevator push-pull rod which resulted in the pilot's inability to control the aircraft's pitch attitude while landing.

Full Narrative

On August 16, 2009, at 1730 central daylight time, a Thrush Aircraft S2R-T660, N660RB, experienced a loss of elevator control and collided with the runway during a forced landing on runway 29 (5,506 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at the Worthington Municipal Airport (OTG), Worthington, Minnesota. The pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The aerial application flight was being operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from OTG at 1630. The pilot reported he heard and felt a “loud pop” at the end of a spray run and realized he did not have elevator control. The airplane continued to climb and lose airspeed, and at an altitude of about 500 feet, it started to nose over. The pilot was able to level the wings and he added power to raise the nose. The pilot continued to control the pitch attitude of the airplane by adjusting engine power and elevator trim as he flew back to the airport to land. The pilot reported that the airplane became less controllable as the airspeed decreased, so he decided to land at a higher than normal airspeed. He reported that the airplane bounced when it touched down and he was not able to control the pitch attitude with the trim as it was ineffective due to the slow airspeed. The airplane bounced a second time, gaining about 30 to 40 feet in altitude. The pilot reported he closed the throttle and the airplane impacted hard on the runway, collapsing the main landing gear. The airplane slid approximately 200 feet and veered off the right side of the runway prior to coming to rest. A post accident examination of the airplane revealed the elevator push-pull rod had fractured. The fractured rod was examined by the Safety Board's Materials Laboratory. This examination revealed rod fractured at the first full thread of the threaded shaft adjacent to the conical section. The remaining threaded section of the rod was threaded into the monoball spherical bearing fitting. A fatigue fracture initiated initiated from both sides of the threaded shank on the rod end. The fatigue propagated from both sides of the cross section of the shank. Examination of the monoball bearing revealed several dents in the metallic bearing shield. The shape, size, and location of the dents and the deformation of the bearing shield were consistent with over-travel contact by the boss on the monoball bearing in at least three directions.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CDT
Nearest AirportWorthington Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway29
Runway Length5506 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftThrush Aircraft S2R-T660
Tail NumberN660RB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBoardman Air Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W Canada · PT6A-65AG · Turboprop · 1300
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time22:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data