# NTSB LAX98LA056: Johnson Bushrod, N6232F, Corona, CA, December 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 9, 1997, 11:06 local (19:06 UTC) - Place: Corona, CA - Location: 33.8977° N, 117.6024° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CORONA MUNI (AJO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8977&lon=-117.6024&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30010 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA056 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30010/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA056 ## Probable cause An in-flight loss of control resulting from a malfunction in the wing flap operating system. The malfunction produced asymmetrical drag and induced a roll which could not be overcome by the pilot's flight control inputs. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - flt control syst,wing flap control - malfunction (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined, manufacturer - flt control syst,wing flap control - asymmetrical (cause) - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - aircraft parked/standing ## Analysis The pilot took off in the experimental, homebuilt airplane, for a planned series of approaches to explore the airplane's operating envelope. The first approach was performed without use of the wing flaps, and no anomalies were reported. During the next approach, the pilot fully extended the flaps. The airplane entered a left turn which, according to the pilot, could not be stopped. The pilot lost control of the airplane, it descended and collided with two unoccupied airplanes. The accident occurred during the 7th hour of the flight test program. There were no reported mechanical problems. ## Factual narrative On December 9, 1997, at 1106 hours Pacific standard time, a Stephen B. Johnson, Bushrod, N6232F, operated by the pilot, experienced a loss of control approaching the Corona Municipal Airport, Corona, California. The experimental airplane was destroyed, and the airline transport certificated pilot was seriously injured. Two unoccupied parked airplanes were also damaged during the collision. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Corona about 1045. The pilot indicated to the Federal Aviation Administration coordinator that the purpose of the test flight was, in part, to explore the airplane's operating envelope. The first approach and intentional go-around to runway 25 was accomplished without using the flaps, and no anomalies were reported. Full flaps were used during the second approach. The pilot reported that after the flaps were extended the airplane entered a left turn which he could not stop despite his flight control inputs, and the airplane descended. The accident occurred during the 7th hour of the flight test program. The pilot reported no mechanical problems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6232F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6232F-1998-09-10), registration cancelled 1998-09-10, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JOHNSON BUSHROD - Registry model: [Johnson Stephen B BUSHROD](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-stephen-b-bushrod) (registry code 05602JI) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 - Airframe hours: 7 - Engines: Jabiru 2200/22A147 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Roderick Maclennan - Registered owner: Stephen B. Johnson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 1997, 7 hours before - Departed: AJO - Destination: AJO - Airport: AJO, Corona Municipal, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 15,500 total, 1 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 36 °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 19971209037859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971209037859A), Dec 9, 1997: Amtr BUSHROD, Corona, CA, Destroyed. Put on full flaps on final. Rolled left and crashed. (.4) the pilot took off in the experimental, homebuilt airplane, for a planned series of approaches to… 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.