# NTSB CEN11CA326: Getten Marvin T Quickie Q2, N314JF, Albuquerque, NM, May 6, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2011, 18:00 local (May 6, 2011, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.040279, -106.609169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0403&lon=-106.6092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79062 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA326 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79062/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79062 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA326 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of elevator control, due to control stick's counter-weight binding with the airplane's header tank. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Getten Marvin T QUICKIE Q2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md?model=05645NY), [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Getten Marvin T QUICKIE Q2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=05645NY), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Getten Marvin T QUICKIE Q2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05645NY), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Getten Marvin T QUICKIE Q2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05645NY), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was becoming familiar with the experimental airplane he had just purchased by practicing taxi tests. He decided to take the airplane on a flight and during the initial takeoff, he experienced some binding on the control stick, but dismissed it as just requiring some lubrication. He flew for about an hour and decided to practice a few approaches. On the third approach, he realized that he was unable to move the control stick forward, but he was able to control the airplane's altitude by engine power and trim. He elected to divert to another airport and performed an emergency landing. During the landing the airplane bounced twice, the propeller struck the ground and the airplane's left canard/landing gear separated. The pilot reported that the pivot bolt holding the counterweight was tight and the counterweight had a little movement which allowed the weight to bind with the airplane's header tank. ## Factual narrative The pilot had just purchased the kit airplane and had spent part of the day doing taxi tests,in order to become familiar with the airplane. Later in the day, the pilot and passenger decided on flying the airplane. The pilot reported during the initial take-off, he thought there was a little binding on the control stick, but dismissed it as just requiring some lubrication. After about an hour of maneuvering the airplane, they decided on doing several practice approaches. On the third approach, the pilot realized that he was unable to move the control stick forward. The pilot found that he was able to control the airplane's altitude by engine power and trim. During the flight to a larger airport for the emergency landing, the pilot asked his passenger to check the control stick's counterweight, located near the airplane's header tank. The passenger reportedly told the pilot that the counterweight was binding on the fuel tank. A forced landing was conducted and the airplane bounced twice before impacting the propeller, and separating of the airplane's left canard/landing gear. The pilot added that the pivot bolt holding the counterweight was tight; however, the counterweight had a little movement, allowing the weight to bind with the airplane's header tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N314JF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N314JF-2018-01-03), registration cancelled 2018-01-03, S/N 2704, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GETTEN MARVIN T QUICKIE Q2 - Registry model: [Getten Marvin T QUICKIE Q2](https://openairdocs.org/model/getten-marvin-t-quickie-q2) (registry code 05645NY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Revmaster 2100](https://openairdocs.org/engine/revmaster-2100) (registry code 52550, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2704 - Airframe hours: 840 - Engines: Subaru EJ22 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 1, 2011 - Departed: E80, Belen, NM - Destination: Belen, NM - Airport: ABQ, Albuquerque International, runway 03, 10,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 19, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 82 total, 4 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KABQ ## 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 20110506007669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110506007669A), May 6, 2011: Getten Marvin T QUICKIE Q2, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Elevator control jammed during 4th approach to landing at E80 (belen, NM). PIC elected to proceed to abq for longer runway and assistance if needed. Level… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79062. 927 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 712 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350321&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350322&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Damaged airplane (FAA photo) (item 3, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350324&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Damaged%20airplane%20%20%20%20(FAA%20photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Control counter weight (FAA photo) (item 4, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350326&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Control%20counter%20weight%20%20%20(FAA%20photo)-Master.PDF 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.