# NTSB LAX85FUG03: Vickers Slingsby T56A Vega, N4312B, Hemet, CA, April 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1985, 16:00 local (Apr 24, 1985, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Hemet, CA
- Location: 33.7341° N, 116.9968° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hemet, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7341&lon=-116.9968&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FUG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FUG03

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - flight control,elevator attachment - disconnected (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE SAILPLANE WAS IN LEVEL FLT WHEN THE PLT FELT FLUTTER AND LOST PITCH CONTROL OF THE ACFT. AFTER ONE UNCONTROLLED LOOP THE PLT BAILED OUT AND RECEIVED SERIOUD INJURIES DURING THE PARACHUTE LANDING. LOSS OF ALL SIX ELEVATOR HINGES HAD CAUSED THE ELEVATOR TO JAM IN THE UP POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4312B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4312B-2012-08-08), registration cancelled 2012-08-08, S/N 1886, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VICKERS SLINGSBY T56A VEGA
- Registry model: [Vickers-Slingsby T65A](https://openairdocs.org/model/vickers-slingsby-t65a) (registry code 9480104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 1886
- Airframe hours: 280
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger Lewis Mccracken
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1984, 0 hours before
- Departed: HMT, HEMET, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 109 total, 41 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19850424025319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850424025319A), Apr 24, 1985: Slnsby T65A, Hemet, CA, Destroyed. Flutter followed by pitch up and slack stick. Pilot parachuted. Elevator hinges pulled out of horizontal stabilizer

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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