# NTSB BFO94LA060: Talago Thundergull JT2, N73ST, Clarksburg, WV, April 4, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 4, 1994, 10:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Clarksburg, WV - Coordinates: 39.27919, -80.330139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2792&lon=-80.3301&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 October 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8905 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8905/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA060 ## Probable cause The builder's inadequate maintenance adjustment which resulted in the aileron control assembly becoming disconnected. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (contributing factor) - maintenance,adjustment - inadequate, owner/builder (cause) - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - disconnected (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not possible - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis THE AIRPLANE HAD JUST TAKEN OFF AND WAS IN ITS INITIAL CLIMB WHEN CONTROL WAS LOST. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THE PILOT STATED, 'AFTER A GOOD PRE-FLIGHT THE TOWER CLEARED ME TO DEPART...IMMEDIATELY ON LIFT OFF, THE AIRCRAFT JUMPED TO THE RIGHT. THERE WAS DEFINITELY A CONTROL PROBLEM BUT I HAVE NOT PINPOINTED WHERE.' THE FAA INSPECTOR'S POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE BOLT CONNECTING THE TWO RODS IN THE AILERON PUSH/PULL ROD ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING. THE BOLT HOLES IN BOTH RODS SHOWED NO DEFORMATION. ADDITIONALLY, THIS BOLT WAS CONNECTED WITH THE JAM NUT FOUND LOOSE DURING THE CONFORMITY INSPECTION. THE AIRPLANE HAD A TOTAL OF 4 HOURS. A CONFORMITY INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED BY AN FAA DESIGNATED AIRWORTHINESS REPRESENTATIVE (DAR) ON NOVEMBER 29, 1993. THE DAR'S CONFORMITY INSPECTION REPORT STATED 'JAM NUT LOOSE ON AILERON CONTROL IN OVERHEAD.' THE REPORT REVEALED THAT THE CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN WAS THAT THE BOLT WAS 'TIGHTENED.' THE KIT MANUFACTURER SPECIFIES THE USE OF A SELF LOCKING NUT, HOWEVER, THE PILOT USED A JAM NUT. ## Factual narrative On Monday, April 4, 1994, about 1040 eastern daylight time, an experimental home-built Talago Thundergull JT2 airplane, N73ST owned and piloted by Stanley Talago, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during an uncontrolled descent at the Benedum Airport (CKB), Clarksburg, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot received serious injuries. The local personal flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR Part 91. A (CKB) Air Traffic Control Specialist stated, "N73ST lifted off prior to Taxiway "E". After reaching approximately 50 feet AGL, the aircraft banked to the right. The aircraft continued in the right bank and crashed nose first in the grass...." In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated, "After a good pre-flight the tower cleared me to depart...Immediately on lift off, the aircraft jumped to the right...There was definitely a control problem but I have not pinpointed where." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety inspector examined the airplane and found that the bolt connecting the two rods in the aileron assemblage push pull arrangement was missing. These connecting rods are located at the center wing section over the rear passenger area. The bolt holes in both rods showed no deformation. No bolt was found in the wreckage or in the wreckage area. Additionally, the jam nut for this bolt was found loose during a conformity inspection. The airplane had a total of 4 hours. A conformity inspection was performed by an FAA designated airworthiness representative (DAR) on November 29, 1993. The DAR's conformity inspection report stated, "Jam nut loose on aileron control in overhead." The report revealed that the corrective action taken was that the bolt was "tightened". The report also revealed that the bolt was too short on the right aileron push-pull rod and that a thinner washer was used as a corrective measure. During a telephone interview with an Earthstar employee, the airplane kit manufacturer, he stated that a self locking "elastic stop" nut is specified/recommended for the two rods in the aileron assemblage push pull arrangement. According to the DAR's conformity inspection report, the builder used a "jam nut." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73ST](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73ST-1994-09-14), registration cancelled 1994-09-14, S/N ST3503 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TALAGO THUNDERGULL JT2 (THUNDERGUL) - Registry model: [Talago Stanley THUNDERGULL JT2](https://openairdocs.org/model/talago-stanley-thundergull-jt2) (registry code 05618ME) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: ST3503 - Airframe hours: 8 - Engines: ROTAX 912-WL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stanley Talago - Registered owner: Talago, Stanley - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 29, 1993, 8 hours before - Departed: CKB - Airport: CKB, Clarksburg/Benedum, runway 21, 5,918 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 392 total, 4 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CKB ## 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 19940404000239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940404000239A), Apr 4, 1994: Amtr THUNDER GULL, Clarksburg, WV, Substantial damage. On liftoff uncontrolled right turn. Impacted nose first. Bolt connecting aileron rods came out. Bogas bolt used. 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.