# NTSB CHI92DEC04: Tennessee Engineering & Manf Z-MAX, Manchester, MI, September 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1992, 13:08 local (17:08 UTC)
- Place: Manchester, MI
- Coordinates: 42.140125, -84.03054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1401&lon=-84.0305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15233
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DEC04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15233/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DEC04

## Probable cause

AN INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE RUDDER CONTROL SYSTEM BY THE PILOT/BUILDER OF THE AIRPLANE, A PULLUP PERFORMED BY THE PILOT, AND A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE RUDDER FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - flt control syst,rudder control cable/rod - failure,total (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine installation - improper (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE MID-WING CONFIGURED EXPERIMENTAL AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED FLYING CLOSE TO THE RUNWAY SURFACE.  WITNESSES REPORTED THE AIRPLANE EXECUTED A STEEP CLIMBING 360 DEGREE TURN TO THE RIGHT.  THE AIRPLANE STALLED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE TURN AND DESCENDED INTO TREES ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE BUILDER OF THE AIRPLANE WAS ALSO THE PILOT.  THE BUILDER HAD DEVIATED FROM THE DESIGNER'S PLANS AND MODIFIED THE RUDDER CONTROL SYSTEM.  THE RESULT OF THE MODIFICATION WAS A LEFT RUDDER CABLE FAILURE DUE TO CHAFING AND OVERLOAD.  THE BUILDER HAD ALSO INSTALLED AN ENGINE WHICH HAD 25 HORSEPOWER (HP) MORE THAN ALLOWED BY THE DESIGNER. THE DESIGNER STATED AN AIRPLANE WITH 65 HP WOULD PERFORM TOO STEEP A CLIMB FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON. THIS, HE STATED, WOULD CAUSE THE PILOT TO LOSE REFERENCE WITH THE HORIZON DUE TO THE AIRPLANE'S MID-WING CONFIGURATION. THE DESIGNER ALSO STATED THE MID-WING CONFIGURATION DOES NOT BLOCK AIRFLOW OVER THE ELEVATOR UNLESS IN A STALL, AT WHICH POINT THE TURBULENT AIR WOULD PASS OVER THE ELEVATOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: TENNESSEE ENGINEERING & MANF Z-MAX
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 27
- Engines: ARROW GT 500 RA 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles E Baker III
- Registered owner: Charles E Baker III
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: M151, CLINTON, MI
- Airport: NONE, Private Grass Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 45 total, 24 in this make and model, 24 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: YIP, 28 nm away

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.

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