# NTSB FTW88DRA04: Barnett Drifter XP503, N247JB, Alvin, TX, February 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 27, 1988, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Alvin, TX
- Coordinates: 29.430217, -95.240333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4302&lon=-95.2403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22473
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRA04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22473/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRA04

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff
  - flight control,aileron - disconnected (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REASSEMBLED THE FLIGHT CONTROLS JUST PRIOR TO FLIGHT, AND INSTALLED THE AILERON PINS TO CONNECT THE CABLES, BUT FORGET THE SAFETY LOCKING DEVICES. DURING FLIGHT, THE PINS FELL OUT CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF AILERON CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N247JB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N247JB-1990-11-02), registration cancelled 1990-11-02, S/N DR0247 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BARNETT DRIFTER XP503 (DRIFTER XP)
- Registry model: [Barnett James S DRIFTER XP503](https://openairdocs.org/model/barnett-james-s-drifter-xp503) (registry code 0567683) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: DR-0247
- Airframe hours: 56
- Engines: ROTAX 503 48 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James S. Barnett
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 18, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: 6R5, ALVIN, TX
- Airport: 6R5, Alvin Airpark, runway 21, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 96 total, 73 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 20 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 19880227021249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880227021249A), Feb 27, 1988: Amtr DRIFTER, Alvin, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot failed to safety aileron clevis pins prior to flight. Pins came out on climbout. Spiraled to ground impact.

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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