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March 12, 2023 · Jones Jay D Cassutt M 11 · N55XJ

Castroville, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 12, 2023
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Castroville, CA
Aircraft
Jones Jay D Cassutt M 11 (2003)
Tail Number
N55XJ
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR23LA128

The pilot was performing an aileron roll when the airplane suddenly entered an uncommanded high-g maneuver, and he lost control of the airplane. He was able to release his seat belt and parachute to the ground. The left wing and aileron separated from the airplane before impacting a muddy field. The mostly intact left aileron, attached torque tube, and both trailing edge ribs separated from the wing and the torque tube fractured from the bellcrank in the fuselage. The forward halves of the upper and lower flanges and the forward flange of the outboard trailing edge rib were separated cleanly from the wing consistent with an adhesive type failure at the interface between the carbon and adhesive. The aft halves of the upper and lower flanges of the outboard trailing edge rib were separated from the trailing edge skins with a cohesive type failure through the adhesive. The lower flange also had evidence of foam core material in the bond line. The available evidence suggests that the outboard trailing edge rib failed along the bond lines between the rib, rear spar, and trailing edge skins, which resulted in a loss of control when the left aileron separated from the wing and the left wing separated from the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

A failure of the outboard trailing edge rib in the left wing, which resulted in a separation of the left aileron and a loss of control.

Full Narrative

On March 12, 2023, at 1505 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Cassutt M11, N55XJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Castroville, California. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated he had conducted clearing turns and was performing an aileron roll when the airplane suddenly entered an uncommanded high-g maneuver, and he lost control of the airplane. He was able to release his seat belt and parachute to the ground. The left wing and aileron separated from the airplane before impacting a muddy field. The aileron is normally connected to a torque tube that runs along the aft side of the rear spar into the fuselage. The torque tube passes through an inboard trailing edge rib at the wing root and an outboard trailing edge rib adjacent to the inboard end of the aileron. The trailing edge rib is made from carbon fiber skins with a foam core. The mostly intact left aileron, attached torque tube, and both trailing edge ribs separated from the wing and the torque tube fractured from the bellcrank in the fuselage. The intact carbon fiber outboard trailing edge rib remained with the torque tube. There was no apparent damage to the outboard trailing edge rib carbon laminate. The forward halves of the upper and lower flanges and the forward flange of the outboard trailing edge rib were separated cleanly from the wing consistent with an adhesive type failure at the interface between the carbon and adhesive. The aft halves of the upper and lower flanges of the outboard trailing edge rib were separated from the trailing edge skins with a cohesive type failure through the adhesive. The lower flange also had evidence of foam core material in the bond line. There was excess adhesive on the inboard side of the outboard trailing edge rib. In contrast, the inboard trailing edge rib was fractured through the carbon and the remaining upper and lower flanges had portions of the wing structure substrate still attached. There was not a failure in the bond line at the inboard trailing edge rib. There was no damage to the outboard aileron pin. The aileron torque tube was bent aft near its attach point to the aileron. The left wing separated from the fuselage and remained mostly intact. The upper trailing edge skin was separated from the left wing above the location of the aileron torque tube and was not recovered. The upper trailing edge skin was torn at the forward end, separated along the skin bond at the trailing edge, and fractured through the foam core in the middle. The main spar fractured just outboard of the attach bracket and photos showed fiber tearing and crushing consistent with overload failure.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:05 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftJones Jay D Cassutt M 11
Tail NumberN55XJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 F / 52 F
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time04:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data