# NTSB ATL87DEI06: Steen Skybolt, N86173, Wadsworth, OH, June 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1987, 20:20 local (Jun 25, 1987, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Wadsworth, OH
- Coordinates: 41.019676, -81.73059 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0197&lon=-81.7306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87DEI06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7228/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87DEI06

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - flt control syst,elevator control - failure,total (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING AEROBATICS. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT LINKAGE CONTROL RODS BETWEEN THE PILOT'S STICK AND THE PITCH ELEVATOR WAS BROKEN. THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A COMBINATION OF INADEQUATELY SPECIFIED STRUCTURAL DESIGN AND IMPROPER FABRICATION. HIGH STRESS LEVELS RESULTED IN FATIGUE CRACKING OF THE REAR STICK CROSS HOLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86173](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86173-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 4745, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STEEN SKYBOLT
- Registry model: [Elliott STEEN SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/elliott-steen-skybolt) (registry code 0565582) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 4745
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bernard W. Butkovich
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1987, 5 hours before
- Departed: 1G5, MEDINA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 837 total, 625 in this make and model, 710 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLE, 18 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 19870624026359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870624026359A), Jun 24, 1987: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Wadsworth, OH, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Elevator push pull rod seperated during an acrobatic flight manuever. Aircraft spun in. Defect in rod material.

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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