# NTSB ANC83FAG02: Willbird 2, N37875, Chugiak, AK, January 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1983, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Chugiak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.410381, -149.170425 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4104&lon=-149.1704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FAG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4066/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FAG02

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight control,stabilator attachment - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, manufacturer (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AS THE AIRCRAFT LIFTED OFF, THE NOSE PITCHED UP ALARMINGLY AND APPLICATION OF FULL DOWN ELEVATOR CONTROL HAD NO APPARENT EFFECT. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO LOWER THE NOSE BY EXTENDING FULL FLAPS. HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO LATCH THE MANUAL FLAPS IN THE DOWN POSITION AND THE EFFORTS TO HOLD THE FLAPS DOWN WAS BEYOND HIS PHYSICAL ENDURANCE. AS THE FLAPS RETRACTED, THE NOSE PITCHED UP AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL. THE AIRCRAFT THEN FELL OFF ON THE LEFT WING AND PITCHED NOSE DOWN. IT CRASHED THROUGH POWER LINES AND BIRCH TREES IN A SLIGHT NOSE, LEFT WING 40 DEG DOWN, ATTITUDE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A HINGE BEARING COMPONENT OF THE STABILATOR CONTROL HAD FAILED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE STABILATOR MOVED FORWARD WHICH SLACKENED THE STABILATOR CONTROL CABLES AND RESULTED IN LOSS OF PITCH CONTROL. THE PILOT/OWNER OF THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT RECOMMENDED WELDING (RATHER THAN BRAZING) HEAVILY STRESSED BEARINGS OR USE CAST, FORGED OR MACHINED PILLOW BLOCKS. THE PLANE HAD 229 HRS TOTAL FLT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37875](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37875-2012-11-13), registration cancelled 2012-11-13, S/N 01, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WILLBIRD 2
- Registry model: [Williams Dale A WILLBIRD 02](https://openairdocs.org/model/williams-dale-a-willbird-02) (registry code 0566146) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 229
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dalea. Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 28, 1982, 10 hours before
- Departed: CHUGIAK, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 662 total, 229 in this make and model, 642 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 12 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANC, 16 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830109002089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830109002089A), Jan 9, 1983: Amtr WILLBIRD, Chugiak, AK, Substantial damage. Hinge bearing component on stabilator broke allowing nose to pitch up causing loss of pitch control and stall.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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