# NTSB ATL81FA104: Varga 2150A, N8423J, Stevensville, MD, July 31, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 31, 1981
- Place: Stevensville, MD · STEVENSVILLE, MD
- Location: 38.9744° N, 76.3185° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stevensville, MD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9744&lon=-76.3185&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 17, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- ADs cited in the narratives: AD 81-17-05 (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FA104
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA104

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2084  81/7/31    STEVENSVILLE,MD     VARGA 2150A         CR-  2  0  0  INSTRUCTIONAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1250                    N8423J              PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      AGE 25, 2111 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            1149 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BAYBRIDGE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BALTIMORE,MD                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: POOR/INADEQUATE DESIGN
           SYSTEMS - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: ELEVATOR AND ELEVATOR TAB CONTROL SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AIRPORT
                                  PITCH CONTROL PROBLEM
        REMARKS- LOST CTL DRG PRCTNRY LNDG.ELEV HORN,PN VAC 6000K-26,FAILED.EMERG AD 81-17-05 ISSUED TO INSP/RPLC.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8423J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8423J-1982-02-22), registration cancelled 1982-02-22, S/N VAC-165-80 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VARGA 2150A
- Registry model: [Varga 2150A](https://openairdocs.org/model/varga-2150a) (registry code 9350102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Baybridge

## 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 19810731046489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810731046489A), Jul 31, 1981: Varga 2150AMORISY, Stevensville, MD, Destroyed. Elevator horn assembly failed, caused flutter, loss of control. Was making emergency landing. Stalled on final.

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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