# NTSB FTW90DPJ12: Massegee Rebel 300, N469RR, El Reno, OK, September 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1990, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: El Reno, OK
- Coordinates: 35.539371, -97.959686 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5394&lon=-97.9597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22961
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DPJ12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22961/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPJ12

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE ELEVATOR CONTROL ROD AT THE BELL CRANK.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - flight control,elevator attachment - failure,total (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, other

## Analysis

DURING A PULLING AEROBATIC MANEUVER THE PILOT EXPERIENCED LOSS OF ELEVATOR CONTROL. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND USING ELEVATOR TRIM BUT FOUND CONTROL TO BE INADEQUATE FOR A SUCCESSFUL LANDING. AFTER CLIMBING TO A HIGHER ALTITUDE THE PILOT BAILED OUT OF THE AIRPLANE, WHICH THEN DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL TO IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ELEVATOR CONTROL ROD FAILED AT THE BELL CRANK, WHICH ATTACHED THE ELEVATOR ROD TO THE CONTROL STICK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N469RR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N469RR-1991-08-27), registration cancelled 1991-08-27, S/N T11087003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MASSEGEE REBEL 300
- Registry model: [Massegee Richard V MASSEGEE REBEL](https://openairdocs.org/model/massegee-richard-v-massegee-rebel) (registry code 05612PM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: TII087003
- Airframe hours: 175
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Massegee, Richard B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1990, 40 hours before
- Departed: OK
- Destination: OK
- Airport: F28, El Reno Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 13,000 total, 175 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 130 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19900917039589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900917039589A), Sep 17, 1990: El Reno, OK, Destroyed. Bolt attaching elevator rod to bellcrank broke shortly after takeoff. Unable to land safely. Pilot bailed out.

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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