# NTSB ATL03LA151: Sheppard S-2, N39S, Obion, TN, September 30, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 2003, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Obion, TN
- Coordinates: 36.321109, -89.107498
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3211&lon=-89.1075&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Memphis FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58113
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58113/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA151

## Probable cause

The failure of the elevator control pushrod, that resulted in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent in-flight collision with ground.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - flt control syst,elevator control cable/rod - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - aircraft control - not possible
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

According to the pilot, while practicing steep turns at 2500 feet, elevator control was lost. The airplane began an uncontrolled descent, and collided with the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed that the elevator control pushrod was broken. Review of the maintenance records revealed that the 1977 Sheppard S-2 airplane had accumulated a total of 1184 total airframe hours. No record of the time in service was recovered for the failed component. Efforts to obtain information from the pilot was not successful.

## Factual narrative

On September 30, 2003, at 1700 central daylight time, a Sheppard S-2, N39S, registered to and operated by a private pilot, lost control in-flight and collided with the ground in Obion County, Tennessee. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot received serious injuries. The flight departed Union City, Tennessee, on September 30, 2003, at 1645.

According to the pilot, while practicing steep turns at 2500 feet, elevator control was lost. The airplane began an uncontrolled descent, and collided with the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed that the elevator control pushrod was broken. Review of the maintenance records revealed that the 1977 Sheppard S-2 airplane had accumulated a total of 1184 total airframe hours. No record of the time in service was recovered for the failed component. Efforts to recover information from the pilot  failed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39S-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N GS-2, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Sheppard S-2
- Registry model: [Sheppard S-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/sheppard-s-2) (registry code 0561318) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: GS-2
- Airframe hours: 1184
- Engines: Lycoming OV-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Griffin Neil A
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: Obion, TN
- Destination: Obion, TN
- Airport: UCY, Everett-Stewart

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 125 total, 52 in this make and model, 52 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 0 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.27 inHg
- Observed at: DYR

## 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 20030930037509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030930037509A), Sep 30, 2003: Amtr PITTSSPECS2, Union City, TN, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot flying in local area at approximately 2500 MSL practicing steep turns when elevator pushrod broke causing him to lose control of aircraft and…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.