# NTSB CHI06LA207: Schlei Avid Flyer Speed Win, N507S, Fergus Falls, MN, July 21, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 20, 2006, 20:05 local (Jul 21, 2006, 01:05 UTC) - Place: Fergus Falls, MN - Coordinates: 46.27951, -96.05902 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2795&lon=-96.0590&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64354 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06LA207 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64354/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06LA207 ## Probable cause the fractured aileron bell crank and elevator clevis rod end. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - flt control syst,elevator control - fractured (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis An experimental amateur-built airplane impacted terrain during an emergency landing following a loss of control during cruise flight. Examination of the flight control system revealed a broken front aileron bell crank and a broken elevator clevis rod, which had a fracture that was more than half rusted. ## Factual narrative On July 20, 2006, at 2006 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Schlei Avid Flyer Speed Wing, N507S, owned and piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during an emergency landing. The pilot reported a loss of control. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot received serious injuries. The flight departed from Henning, Minnesota, and was returning to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The pilot stated that after he descended from a cruise altitude of 4,000 feet and "shortly" after leveling off at 3,000 feet, he felt the airplane "kind of shake." Following the shake, the airplane pitched down with a "slight" left bank. He thought he was in a spin so he reduced engine power to idle and applied right rudder but there was no effect on airplane control. Out of "desperation," he began to move the control stick "all over," looking for anything that would return control. He moved the control stick as far aft as and to the right as possible. The airplane began to level off. Hoping to level the attitude some more, he tried moving the control stick again but the airplane began "going down again." He then moved the control stick to its previous position but did not remember if it had an effect on airplane attitude. He knew that he was going to "crash," so he turned the fuel off and was going to turn the master switch off but did not remember if he did. Examination of the flight control system by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed a broken front aileron bell crank (part identification F-5). Additionally, there was a broken elevator clevis rod end (part identification F-43), which had a fracture that was more than half rusted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N507S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N507S-2006-09-27), registration cancelled 2006-09-27, S/N 507, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schlei Avid Flyer Speed Win - Registry model: [Schlei Gerald L AVID FLYER SPD WING](https://openairdocs.org/model/schlei-gerald-l-avid-flyer-spd-wing) (registry code 05618X3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 507 - Airframe hours: 247.3 - Engines: Rotax 582UL 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 1, 2005, 8 hours before - Departed: Henning, MN - Destination: FFM, Fergus Falls, MN - Airport: FFM, Fergus Falls Muni-Einar Mickel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review July 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 63 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: FFM, 8 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 20060720015089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060720015089A), Jul 20, 2006: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Fergus Falls, MN, Destroyed. (-23) While descending from 4000' to 3000' on approach to Fergus Falls, MN (ffm) the aircraft began an uncontrolled left bank. The aircraft completed two… 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.