# NTSB CEN15CA166: Funk B85C, N81194, Leonard, OK, March 6, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 6, 2015, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Leonard, OK - Coordinates: 35.936668, -95.81639 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9367&lon=-95.8164&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 8, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 90841 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA166 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90841/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90841 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA166 ## Probable cause The improper installation of the UP elevator cable turnbuckle which became disconnected during the flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: elevator control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Funk B85C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730/cases.md?model=5480208), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Funk B85C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=5480208), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Funk B85C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=5480208), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Funk B85C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5480208), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Funk B85C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5480208), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was flying about 700 feet above the ground in cruise flight when he felt the control stick "pop" and the nose of the airplane pitch down. The pilot pulled back the throttle and turned off the magnetos. The passenger adjusted the elevator trim; however, the pitch attitude did not change. The pilot then entered a side slip which brought the nose up to level. He straightened the nose of the airplane just prior to it impacting the terrain. The airplane subsequently flipped inverted resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the UP elevator turnbuckle became detached at the elevator torque tube. The turnbuckle was not safety wired. New cables were installed in the airplane in 2007 and the turnbuckle most likely loosened over time. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was flying about 700 feet above the ground in cruise flight when he felt the control stick "pop" and the nose of the airplane pitch down. The pilot pulled back the throttle and turned off the magnetos. The passenger adjusted the elevator trim; however, the pitch attitude did not change. The pilot then entered a side slip which brought the nose up to level. He straightened the nose of the airplane just prior to it impacting the terrain. The airplane subsequently flipped inverted resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the UP elevator turnbuckle became detached at the elevator torque tube. The turnbuckle was not safety wired. New cables were installed in the airplane in 2007. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81194](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81194-2016-07-11), registration cancelled 2016-07-11, S/N 326, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FUNK B85C (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Funk B85C](https://openairdocs.org/model/funk-b85c) (registry code 5480208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 326 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 2196.2 - Engines: Continental C85 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 2014, 22 hours before - Departed: RVS, Tulsa, OK - Destination: RVS, Tulsa, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 9, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 140.8 total, 25.1 in this make and model, 108.4 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 17.6 in the last 30 days, 1.7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.48 inHg - Observed at: RVS, 12 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 20150306003759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150306003759A), Mar 6, 2015: Funk B85C, Leonard, OK, Substantial damage. A VFR flight departed 1025 CST from jones riverside airport tulsa, OK. (Krvs) flew to haskell municipal airport (2K9) for landings and takeoffs. They had… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90841. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 706 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428576&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 218 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428577&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428578&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 4, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428579&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement%20-Redacted.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.