# NTSB FTW01LA159: Glover RV-8, N50FG, Mineral Wells, TX, July 4, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 2001, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Mineral Wells, TX - Coordinates: 32.781665, -98.060279 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7817&lon=-98.0603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52691 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52691/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA159 ## Probable cause the jammed elevator control stick on takeoff roll. A contributory factor was the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - flt control syst,elevator control - jammed (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - ground - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, the pilot was unable to move the control stick back to the neutral "takeoff" position. After realizing the control was jammed forward, the pilot closed the throttle and attempted to maintain directional control with the brakes. The pilot was not able to free the elevator control stick. The pilot felt that he did not have sufficient runway to stop the airplane on the departure runway; therefore, he turned the airplane to the left onto another runway. Approximately 2/3 of the way through the turn, the "west wind lifted the left wing and the right wing struck the ground." The airplane rotated back to the right coming to rest on the approach end of the runway. Fire was immediately noticed, the pilot opened the canopy, and the airplane was evacuated. The airplane was consumed by fire. The pilot stated that the "control stick grip lodged behind [the] instrument panel on takeoff." The pilot recommended a "more secure attachment of [the] control stick grip and redesigned travel of [the] control stick so that [the] stick will not travel under instrument panel." The weather observation facility reported the wind from 260 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 2001, at 1115 central daylight time, a GLOVER RV-8, homebuilt experimental airplane, N50FG, was destroyed during an aborted takeoff from the Mineral Wells Municipal Airport, near Mineral Wells, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airline transport pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originally departed Granbury, Texas, approximately 1040. At the time of the accident, the flight was departing Mineral Wells for the return flight to Granbury. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on runway 31, he was unable to move the control stick back to the neutral "takeoff" position. After realizing the control was jammed forward, the pilot closed the throttle and attempted to maintain directional control with the brakes. The pilot was not able to free the elevator control stick. The pilot felt that he did not have sufficient runway to stop the airplane on runway 31; therefore, he turned the airplane to the left onto runway 17. Approximately 2/3 of the way through the turn, the "west wind lifted the left wing and the right wing struck the ground." The airplane rotated back to the right coming to rest on the approach end of runway 17. Fire was immediately noticed, the pilot opened the canopy, and the airplane was evacuated. The airplane was consumed by fire. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that the "control stick grip lodged behind [the] instrument panel on takeoff. The pilot recommended a "more secure attachment of [the] control stick grip and redesigned travel of [the] control stick so that [the] stick will not travel under instrument panel." At 1053, the weather observation facility at Mineral Wells reported the wind from 260 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50FG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50FG-2001-12-05), registration cancelled 2001-12-05, S/N 80-309, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GLOVER RV-8 - Registry model: [Glover Frank JR RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/glover-frank-jr-rv-8) (registry code 05607XL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 80-309 - Airframe hours: 92 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frank M. Glover, JR - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 28, 2000, 51 hours before - Departed: MWL, Mineral Wells, TX - Destination: F55, Granbury, TX - Airport: MWL, Mineral Wells, runway 17, 4,188 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 6, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 12,430 total, 115 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: MWL ## 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 20010704018909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010704018909A), Jul 4, 2001: Amtr RV8, Mineralwells, TX, No damage. (.19) On July 4, 2001, at 1115 central daylight time, a glover RV-8, homebuilt experimental airplane, N50FG, was destroyed during an aborted takeoff from the… 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.