# NTSB DEN00LA155: Trammell Avid Flyer, N7081M, Trinidad, CO, August 20, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 2000, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Trinidad, CO - Coordinates: 37.159675, -104.499893 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1597&lon=-104.4999&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 1, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50038 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50038/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA155 ## Probable cause the failure of wing lift strut attachment rod for an unknown reason, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control during initial takeoff climb. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - wing,bracing strut - failure,total (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot said that on departure climb out, everything appeared normal. Suddenly, at 1,000 feet agl, he reported losing all flight control. He said the amateur built experimental airplane continued to turn to the left, and he had no elevator control. The airplane gradually spiraled down until it hit the ground. Postaccident examination revealed that the left lift strut tube threaded attachment rod had broken. The kit manufacturer said that there are approximately 1,700 airplanes flying that utilize this wing attachment assembly, and the manufacturer has no record of any similar failures. The pilot said that he built the airplane in 1989, and it was substantially damaged in 1991. He said that he purchased new wings and most of the hardware was replaced new. He said that he replaced the left strut attachment bracket on the rebuilt airplane. It was not determined why the left lift strut attachment rod failed. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 2000, approximately 1200 mountain daylight time, a Trammell Avid Flyer experimental home-built airplane, N7081M, was substantially damaged following a loss of aircraft control and subsequent impact with terrain near Perry Stokes Airport, Trinidad, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was seriously injured. The pilot built, owned, and operated the airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot said that he needed approximately half an hour of flight time to complete in order to meet his FAA required 40 hour sign off requirement. On departure climb out, everything appeared normal. Suddenly, at 1,000 feet above the ground, he lost all flight control. He said that the airplane continued to turn to the left, and he had no elevator control. The pilot said that if he maintained 65 mph that the wings would stay "somewhat level." The airplane gradually spiraled down until it hit the ground. The impact with terrain displaced the engine aft into the cockpit area. Postaccident examination of the airplane by the kit manufacturer revealed that the left lift strut tube threaded attachment rod was broken. This failure permitted the wing's warp to dissipate. Subsequently, this warp adjustment failure bound the flight controls for both ailerons and elevators. The kit manufacturer said that there are approximately 1,700 airplanes flying that utilize this wing attachment assembly, and the manufacturer has no record of any similar failures. The pilot said that he built the airplane in 1989, and that it was substantially damaged in 1991. He said that he purchased new wings and most of the hardware was replaced new. He said that he replaced the left strut attachment bracket on the rebuilt airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7081M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7081M-2003-02-11), registration cancelled 2003-02-11, S/N 871, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TRAMMELL AVID FLYER - Registry model: [Trammell John M AVID FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/trammell-john-m-avid-flyer) (registry code 05623TF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 871 - Airframe hours: 35 - Engines: Rotax 532 64 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John M. Trammell - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2000, 5 hours before - Departed: TAD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 545 total, 188 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 183 °F, dew point 113 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TAD, 3 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 20000820014119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000820014119A), Aug 20, 2000: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Trinidad, CO, No damage. (-23) During a test flight to check the radios, the pilot states he lost light control of the a/c. he stated the flaparons, elevator, and rudder were… 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.