# NTSB FTW93LA124: Violet Dragonfly, N48RV, Carlsbad, NM, April 11, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 11, 1993, 10:19 local (16:19 UTC) - Place: Carlsbad, NM - Coordinates: 32.399868, -104.229919 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3999&lon=-104.2299&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18726 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18726/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA124 ## Probable cause THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE CONTROL STICK ASSEMBLY AND THE SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL STICK ASSEMBLY FROM THE MOUNT ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - flt control syst,yoke/control stick - separation (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis DURING LANDING THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED AND THE PILOT APPLIED AFT PRESSURE ON THE CONTROL STICK ASSEMBLY. WITH THE AFT PRESSURE APPLIED THE CONTROL STICK ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM ITS NORMAL MOUNTING POSITION AND THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHICH IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. THE CONTROL STICK AND PISTOL GRIP WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH A RETENTION LOCKING DEVICE. THE PILOT HAD RECENTLY REMOVED THE STICK IN ORDER TO INSTALL A PUSH TO TALK SWITCH FOR HIS RADIO. WHEN HE REINSTALLED THE STICK HE NOTED THAT IT WAS LOOSE, SO HE WRAPPED IT WITH HEAVY TAPE IN AN EFFORT TO SECURE IT ## Factual narrative On April 11, 1993, at 1019 mountain daylight time (MDT) a Violet Dragonfly, N48RV, was substantially damaged during landing at the Cavern City Air Terminal, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Weather for the local area flight was visual meteorological conditions. The private pilot was not injured. Bob W. Violet was the registered owner. During an interview with the pilot, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, he reported that during landing he touched down hard and bounced and during the recovery he applied aft stick. As he was applying the aft stick the pistol grip separated from the stick and he lost control of the airplane. The FAA inspector examined the stick and determined that there was no retention device designed into the stick assembly or the pistol grip to provide for security and prevention of separation. Discussions with the airplane designer revealed that the stick assembly was designed with a retaining fastener. During the interview with the pilot he reported that he had removed the stick so that he could install a push to talk switch for his newly installed radio. During the reinstallation he noted that the stick was loose so he wrapped it in heavy tape. He further stated that when he removed the stick assembly that it was a tight fit, but that no retaining device was installed. The present owner purchased the airplane from another owner and not direct from the manufacturer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48RV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48RV-2017-03-21), registration cancelled 2017-03-21, S/N 161, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VIOLET DRAGONFLY - Registry model: [Violet Bob W DRAGONFLY](https://openairdocs.org/model/violet-bob-w-dragonfly) (registry code 05644GF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 166 - Airframe hours: 166 - Engines: Volkswagen 1835 CC 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Snow, Mark D. - Registered owner: Snow, Mark D. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 1992, 18 hours before - Departed: ATS, ARTISIA, NM - Destination: CNM - Airport: CNM, Carlsbad, runway 32, 5,830 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 133 total, 12 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 9 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19930411008799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930411008799A), Apr 11, 1993: Amtr DRAGONFLY, Carlsbad, NM, Substantial damage. Hard landing on recovery. Piston grip separated from stick. Lost control. Right canard spar broke on ensuing impact ## Other investigations on N48RV (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX02LA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA230), Jul 18, 2002: Violet Dragonfly (N48RV), Tucson, AZ, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of control resulting from his improperly planned approach and an inadvertent encounter with wake turbulence. 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.