# NTSB CEN17LA304: Roger M Allen RA2, N952RA, Hector, MN, August 6, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 6, 2017, 15:51 local (20:51 UTC) - Place: Hector, MN - Coordinates: 44.731109, -94.711944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7311&lon=-94.7119&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95759 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA304 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95759/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95759 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA304 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper installation of the control stick hardware, which resulted in a loss of elevator control in flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: control column section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022701): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Roger M Allen RA2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022701/cases.md?model=05631DQ), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022701/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Roger M Allen RA2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=05631DQ), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Roger M Allen RA2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05631DQ), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Roger M Allen RA2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=05631DQ), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Roger M Allen RA2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05631DQ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Roger M Allen RA2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05631DQ), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot and passenger were departing on a local flight in the experimental, amateur-built airplane. The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, he pulled back on the control stick, but instead of rotating off the runway, the airplane bounced, then pitched straight up. Once airborne, the airplane did not respond to the pilot's control inputs. The pilot reduced the engine power and the airplane stalled. The nose dropped, and the airplane subsequently impacted terrain. Examination found that the control stick was not connected to the elevator bracket. A search of the wreckage did not locate any nut that would have secured the bolt. The pilot reported that he would have used a castellated nut with a cotter pin to secure the bolt; however, he could not remember installing the nut. The airplane had been flown 6 or 7 times before the accident flight and it is likely that the nut backed off during that time. The accident is consistent with a loss of elevator control due to the pilot's failure to properly secure the control stick to the elevator bracket. ## Factual narrative On August 6, 2017, at 1551 central daylight time, an amateur-built RA2 airplane, N952RA, impacted terrain near Hector, Minnesota. The commercial pilot and passenger were seriously injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating from the Hector Municipal Airport (1D6), at the time of the accident.In an interview with the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot reported that on the takeoff roll, he pulled back on the control stick and the airplane did not take off. It bounced a couple of times and then pitched straight up. The airplane did not respond to the pilot's control inputs; he pushed the control stick forward and did not feel as though he had any elevator control. The pilot added that he reduced the engine power and felt the airplane stall. The nose of the airplane dropped, and the airplane impacted the terrain. Substantial damage was sustained to the fuselage. Examination of the airplane found that the control stick was not connected to the elevator bracket. A search of the wreckage did not locate any nut that would have secured the bolt. The airplane was recently acquired by the pilot. It was transported in three parts, so the pilot assembled the airplane. When the pilot was queried about how he would have secured the bolt for the control stick, he reported that he would use a castellated nut with a cotter pin. However, he could not remember installing the nut. The airplane had flown 6 or 7 times prior to the accident. An NTSB Form 6120 was not submitted by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N952RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N952RA-2017-10-24), registration cancelled 2017-10-24, S/N 599, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROGER M ALLEN RA2 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Roger M Allen RA2](https://openairdocs.org/model/roger-m-allen-ra2) (registry code 05631DQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503DC](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503dc) (registry code 55582, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 599 - Year built: 2011 - Engines: Rotax 503 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 1D6, Hector, MN - Destination: 1D6, Hector, MN - Airport: 1D6, Hector Muni, runway 05, 2,580 × 165 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 19, 2016; flight hours: 9,200 total, 500 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KOVL, 14 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 20170806016939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170806016939A), Aug 6, 2017: Roger M Allen RA2, Hector, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot was taking off from the Hector airport on a local flight. Pilot completed first flight with no passenger nor issues. After he landed, he picked up the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 15, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95759. 110 KB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460841&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-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.