ATL03LA150

NTSB accident investigation · Sherman Holie Freebird · Newnan, GA · September 27, 2003

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
September 27, 2003, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
Place
Newnan, GA
Injuries
2 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
UNREGSherman Holie Freebird
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report June 28, 2006
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Atlanta FSDO
Case key
58063

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The failure of the aileron control rod, and subsequent loss of control in-flight.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Airframe/component/system failure/malfunctionTakeoff
Flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - failure,totalFactor
Loss of control - in flightTakeoff
Aircraft control - not possible
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled
Terrain condition - ground

Analysis

According to the pilot, during climb out from runway 14, the airplane began a slow right turn. The pilot attempted to make a correction but the flight controls did not respond. The pilot reduced power and the airplane turned hard to the right and impacted the ground. Examination of the flight controls revealed the aileron control rod was broken at the stick.

Factual narrative

On September 27, 2003, at 0945 eastern daylight time, an unregistered Freebird airplane, operated by a student pilot, collided with the runway during takeoff from Newnan Coweta County Airport, Newnan, Georgia. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The student pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The flight departed Newnan Coweta County Airport, Georgia on September 27, 2003 at 0940.

According to the pilot, during climb-out from runway 14, the airplane began a slow uncommanded right turn. The pilot attempted to make a correction but the flight controls did not respond. The pilot reduced power and the airplane turned hard to the right and collided with the ground.

Examination of the airplane revealed the nose of the airplane separated from the airframe and the right wing was buckled. Examination of the flight controls revealed the aileron control rod was broken at the stick, and the part had a total time of 39 hours before failure. No other mechanical anomalies reported by the pilot.

Aircraft

Registration
UNREG
Reported as
Sherman Holie Freebird
Category
Airplane, amateur-built
Engine
2si 67L-70, 70 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 103
Registered owner
Robert Beasley
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Departed
CCO · Newnan, GA
Destination
CCO · Newnan, GA
Airport
CCO · Newnan Coweta County, runway 14, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Injuries
Minor
Flight hours
2,500 total

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
0° at 0 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
68 °F, dew point 68 °F
Altimeter
29.95 inHg
Observed at
CCO