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August 4, 2010 · Kirkpatrick Buzzard 1 · N84BS

Lincoln, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 2010
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Lincoln, CA
Aircraft
Kirkpatrick Buzzard 1
Tail Number
N84BS
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR10CA398

The single-seat aircraft was registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an experimental, amateur-built aircraft. A week before the accident, the aircraft was assembled by a certificated aircraft mechanic. The pilot reported that he had previously flown the aircraft one time, for about 30 minutes. During the accident flight's takeoff roll, the pilot noticed that the aircraft did not "feel right," but he opted to continue. About 250 feet above the ground the outboard right wing "started to flutter in a violent way" and in response the pilot reduced engine power and aircraft speed. He then "lost all control." The aircraft impacted the ground in a field and seriously injured the pilot. About an hour after the accident skydivers noticed the wreckage and summoned emergency services to rescue the pilot. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that the bolt that was supposed to attach an aileron pushrod to the outboard aileron bellcrank was lying loose in the bottom of the wing bay; neither the nut nor the cotter pin was recovered. Examination of the opposite aileron bellcrank revealed that the corresponding bolt and nut were not secured by a cotter pin, despite provisions for one. The mechanic who assembled the aircraft stated that he did not install cotter pins in either of the two noted bolts. The pilot stated that he did not inspect the aircraft after assembly or before the flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of control due to the mechanical disconnection of an aileron pushrod from its bellcrank as a result of the mechanic's failure to properly secure the pushrod attach hardware. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.

Full Narrative

The student pilot/owner reported that he had about 329 total hours of flight experience, including 250 hours in single-engine airplanes, 58 hours in ultralight aircraft, and 21 hours in gliders. He stated that the accident aircraft was a modified version of the Kolb Firefly ultralight. The single-seat aircraft was registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an experimental amateur-built "Buzzard 1 Motorglider." A week before the accident, the aircraft was assembled by a certificated aircraft mechanic. The pilot reported that he had previously flown the aircraft one time, for about 30 minutes. During the accident flight takeoff roll, the pilot noticed that the aircraft did not "feel right," but he opted to continue. About 250 feet above the ground, the outboard right wing "started to flutter in a violent way," and in response, the pilot reduced engine power and aircraft speed. He then "lost all control." The aircraft impacted the ground in a field, and seriously injured the pilot. About 1 hour after the accident, skydivers noticed the wreckage, and summoned emergency services to rescue the pilot. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that the bolt that was supposed to attach an aileron pushrod to the outboard aileron bellcrank was lying loose in the bottom of the wing bay; neither the nut nor the cotter pin was recovered. Examination of the opposite aileron bellcrank revealed that the corresponding bolt and nut were not secured by a cotter pin, despite provisions for one. The mechanic who assembled the aircraft stated that he did not install cotter pins in either of the two noted bolts. The pilot stated that he did not inspect the aircraft after assembly, or before the flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 PDT
Nearest AirportLincoln Regional (1nm)
Runway15
Runway Length6001 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftKirkpatrick Buzzard 1
Tail NumberN84BS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 442 · Reciprocating · 40
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 82 · None · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data