# NTSB LAX95LA023: Glen A. Senecal 5151, N5246G, Apple Valley, CA, October 29, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 29, 1994, 12:08 local (19:08 UTC) - Place: Apple Valley, CA - Coordinates: 34.569004, -117.149391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5690&lon=-117.1494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28973 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28973/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA023 ## Probable cause the manufacturer's (owner/operator) improper balancing of the aileron flight controls which resulted in a cable separation due to overload from the aileron flutter. The rough/uneven terrain was also a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - flight control,aileron - flutter (contributing factor) - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - separation (contributing factor) - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - overload (contributing factor) - maintenance,balancing - improper, manufacturer (cause) - Overrun, landing - roll - proper touchdown point - not possible - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis THE PILOT LOST AILERON CONTROL WHILE PERFORMING A LOW-ALTITUDE FLYBY. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE ON THE RUNWAY. THE REMAINING RUNWAY, HOWEVER, WAS INSUFFICIENT TO STOP THE AIRPLANE AND THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE AILERON REVEALED THAT THE AILERON CABLE SEPARATED FROM ITS ATTACH POINT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AILERON WAS NOT PROPERLY BALANCED. ## Factual narrative On October 29, 1994, at 1208 hours Pacific daylight time, an amateur built Glen A. Senecal 5151 (a.k.a. midget mustang), N5246G, collided with the terrain after experiencing an aileron in-flight flutter at Apple Valley Airport, Apple Valley, California. The pilot was performing low flybys during an air show at Apple Valley Airport. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Apple Valley Airport at 1153 hours. National Transportation Safety Board investigators conducted a telephone interview with the pilot on October 29, 1994. The pilot said that the airplane developed a severe aileron flutter condition when it was at midfield. The pilot immediately landed the airplane with its landing gears extended. The airplane touched down on the runway, but exited the runway environment during the skid. The main landing gear collapsed when the airplane entered onto the soft terrain. The pilot said in the aircraft accident report that the aileron was unbalanced. He said this condition caused the flutter. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations inspector from the Riverside [California] Flight Standards District Office witnessed the accident. He told Safety Board investigators that the flutter was very obvious from his vantage point. He said that he examined the airplane immediately after the accident. His examination disclosed that the right aileron cable was loose. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5246G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5246G-2002-10-08), registration cancelled 2002-10-08, S/N 13086849, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GLEN A. SENECAL 5151 - Registry model: [Senecal Glen A 5151](https://openairdocs.org/model/senecal-glen-a-5151) (registry code 05624JH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 13086849 - Airframe hours: 171 - Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Glen Senecal - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 5, 1994, 25 hours before - Airport: APV, Apple Valley, runway 18, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 400 total, 171 in this make and model, 80 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19941029036889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941029036889A), Oct 29, 1994: Amtrbb MUSTANG2, Apple Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Severe aileron flutter on a low level flyby. Landed skidded and collapsed gear. Aileron cable loose. 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.