# NTSB FTW97LA083: Bellanca 8KCAB, N5062P, Laporte, TX, January 15, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 15, 1997, 15:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Laporte, TX - Coordinates: 29.659103, -95.03968 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6591&lon=-95.0397&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20145 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20145/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA083 ## Probable cause The pilot's diminished ability to maintain control of the airplane due to a jammed elevator control as result of inadequate maintenance procedures by the operator's mechanic. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - flt control syst,elevator control cable/rod - jammed (cause) - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - aircraft control - diminished, pilot in command - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot encountered pitch control problems after completing approximately 30 minutes of aerobatics. The pilot contacted the operator on Unicom and advised them that the airplane was experiencing elevator control problems. He reported his position as 10 miles southeast of the airport and advised the traffic that he was proceeding straight in to runway 30. The operator stated that the pilot was unable to move the elevator or the elevator trim, but managed to control the airplane's pitch and altitude with power. After clearing trees near the airport, the airplane touched down short of the airport, bounced, went through the airport's perimeter fence, impacted a fire hydrant and skidded to a stop approximately 1/4 mile short of the threshold for runway 30. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector and the operator revealed that a chromed adjustment buckle of the type normally utilized for the shoulder harness straps was blocking the movement of the elevator control tube at the elevator bellcrank. A review of the airplane records revealed that the shoulder harnesses were replaced by a mechanic approximately 90 flight hours prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On January 15, 1997, at 1510 central standard time, a Bellanca 8KCAB airplane, N5062P, was substantially damaged while landing near LaPorte, Texas. The instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane, registered to a private owner and operated by Harvey & Rihn Aviation, was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed from the LaPorte Municipal Airport at approximately 1430. The pilot stated that after departing the airport, he proceeded to the local practice area where he practiced aerobatics maneuvers for about 30 minutes. After a few maneuvers, he reported encountering control problems in the airplane's pitch axis and elected to return to the airport. According to the operator, the pilot contacted them on their Unicom and advised them that the airplane was experiencing elevator control problems. He reported his position as 10 miles southeast of the airport and advised the traffic that he was proceeding straight in to runway 30. The operator stated that the pilot was unable to move the elevator or the elevator trim, but managed to control the airplane's pitch and altitude with power. After clearing trees near the airport, the airplane touched down short of the airport, bounced, went through the airport's perimeter fence, impacted a fire hydrant and skidded to a stop approximately 1/4 mile short of the threshold for runway 30. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector and the operator confirmed structural damage to the fuselage, wings, and main landing gear. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector and the operator revealed that a chromed adjustment buckle of the type normally utilized for the shoulder harness straps was blocking the movement of the elevator control tube at the elevator bellcrank. A review of the airplane records by the FAA inspector revealed that the shoulder harnesses were replaced by a mechanic 90 flight hours prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5062P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5062P), registered now, S/N 568-79, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 8KCAB - Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 568-79 - Airframe hours: 927 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-H1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Debby Rihn, doing business as Harvey & Rihn Aviation - Registered owner: William D. Spence - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1996, 47 hours before - Departed: T41 - Airport: T41, Laporte Municipal, runway 30, 4,171 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,100 total, 257 in this make and model, 4,036 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EFD ## 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 19970115000479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970115000479A), Jan 15, 1997: Bbavia 8KCAB, La Porte, TX, Substantial damage. Control problems during aerobatics. Elevators jammed. Impact short of runway. Shoulder harness buckle jammed elvator (-23) on 01/15/97, Bellanca model 8KCAB,… 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.