# NTSB LAX00LA325: Williams Williams Mite M18L, N60BW, San Diego, CA, September 5, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 2000, 12:14 local (19:14 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.78944, -116.960113 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7894&lon=-116.9601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA325
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA325

## Probable cause

The separation of the airplane's vertical stabilizer and rudder assemblies, during the landing approach, because of dry rot.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - separation (cause)
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - rotted/weathered (cause)

## Analysis

On landing approach in an experimental airplane, the entire stabilizer and rudder assemblies separated from the airplane, as a single unit.  Thereafter, the airplane veered sharply to the right, and there was a strong tendency to roll inverted.  The pilot regained control of the airplane, extended the landing gear, and landed on runway 17 without further mishap.  The separated components were subsequently located on airport property.  A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the components and reported observing evidence of dry rot on the fracture surfaces.

## Factual narrative

On September 5, 2000, about 1214 hours Pacific daylight time, a Williams Mite M18L, N60BW, owned and operated by the pilot, experienced the in-flight separation of its vertical stabilizer and rudder assemblies approaching the Gillespie Field, San Diego, California.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed.  The experimental airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot was not injured.  The personal flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Oceanside, California, at an unreported time.

The pilot indicated that on final approach about 50 feet above ground level, the airplane's entire stabilizer and rudder assemblies separated from the airplane, as a single unit.  Thereafter, the airplane veered sharply to the right, and there was a strong tendency to roll inverted.  The pilot regained control of the airplane, extended the landing gear, and landed on runway 17 without further mishap.

The separated components were subsequently located on airport property.  The Federal Aviation Administration examined the components and reported observing evidence of dry rot on the fracture surfaces.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60BW-2023-04-18), registration cancelled 2023-04-18, S/N 7 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Williams WILLIAMS MITE M18L (WILLIAMS M)
- Registry model: [Williams Robert B JR WILLIAMS MITE M18L](https://openairdocs.org/model/williams-robert-b-jr-williams-mite-m18l) (registry code 05602UI) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 7
- Airframe hours: 1116
- Engines: Lycoming O-145 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald J. Henry
- Registered owner: Djh Aero Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 2000, 22 hours before
- Departed: OKB, OCEANSIDE, CA
- Airport: SEE, Gillespie, runway 17, 4,147 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 790 total, 100 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 190 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEE

## 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 20000905012299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000905012299A), Sep 5, 2000: Amtr M18LWILLIAMS, El Cajon, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 09-05-00, N60BW, an amateur built aircraft, departed see on a pleasure flight to L32. Upon return to see, N60BW received permission to execute a low…

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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