# NTSB LAX83FUM08: Clark Super Q2, N401JC, San Diego, CA, July 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1983, 19:14 local (Jul 4, 1983, 02:14 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Location: 32.7153° N, 117.1573° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Diego, CA, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7153&lon=-117.1573&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23561
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FUM08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23561/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FUM08

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight control,elevator - improper (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate airframe, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HOEM BUILT ACFT WAS CONSTRUCTED USING THE BASIC DESIGN OF THE Q2, A 2 PALCE PLANE WITH A CANARD. HOWEVER, IT WAS BUILT WITH SIGNIGICANT DESIGN CHANGES. THESE INCLUDED A 2ND ELEVATOR WHICH CREATED AT-TAIL. THE 2ND ELEVATOR WAS OPERATED BY A HANDLE WHICH WAS MOUNTED ON THE CONSOLE WALL. ALSO, THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A 104 HP LIQUID COOLED ENG INSTEAD OF AN AIR COOLED 64 HP ENG; THE GROSS WT WAS INCREASED FROM 1000 TO 1350 LBS; & THE FUEL CAPACITY WAS INCREASED FROM 20 TO 36 GAL & AN ADDITIONAL AFT TANK WAS INSTALLED. AFTER HIS SPEED TAXI CHECKS, THE OWNER/BUILDER/PLT TOOK OFF ON HIS 1ST FLT. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE CFT CLIMBED TO AN ALT OF APRX 100 TO 200 FT AGL, THEN ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE HANDLE FOR THE 2ND ELEVATOR WAS FOUND IN A FULL TRAVEL (ACFT NOSE DOWN) POSITION. THE 2ND ELEVATOR WAS FOUND TO BE 'REVERSIBLE' & AIRLOADS AT TAKEOFF SPEEDS COULD HAVE DRIVEN IT TO A FULL TRAVEL (ACFT NOSE DOWN) POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N401JC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CLARK SUPER Q2
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: ROTORWAY UNK/NR 104 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: John M. Clark
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 29, 1983, 0 hours before
- Airport: Brown Field, runway 26R, 7,999 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,367 total, 11,246 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Observed at: SDM, 1 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 19830703030519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830703030519A), Jul 3, 1983: Amtrqk QUICKIE2, San Diego, CA, Destroyed. Experienced pilot crashed on runway during takeoff. Control for extra elevator in full down position.

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.