# NTSB MIA03LA134: John L. Klein Marquart ChargerMA-5, N707JK, Pierson, FL, June 25, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 25, 2003, 07:30 local (11:30 UTC) - Place: Pierson, FL - Coordinates: 29.273611, -81.364997 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2736&lon=-81.3650&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57366 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57366/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA134 ## Probable cause Separation of the elevator push/pull tube from the rear cockpit's control stick for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a loss of elevator control, an uncontrolled descent, and an impact with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - flt control syst,elevator control cable/rod - separation (cause) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis A witness stated that he was about 900 to 1,000 feet, and N707JK was about 400 to 500 feet below, in a position forward of his airplane's wing, such that N707JK was in constant view while flying in a loose formation. The witness said he saw left rudder movement on N707JK, and N707JK yawed to the left, yawed to the right, and then the nose dipped slightly and N707JK disappeared immediately in the canopy of trees. Within several seconds the witness said he was over the area where N707JK had disappeared, but he could not see anything due to the trees. He then increased his altitude, and made a radio communications call, declaring an emergency. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that that the rod end bearing on the elevator push/pull tube had disconnected from the rear cockpit's control stick, resulting in a loss of elevator control, and the connecting clevis bolt, castle nut, and cotter key were never recovered. ## Factual narrative On June 25, 2003, about 0730 eastern daylight time, a John L. Klein Marquart Charger MA-5 experimental amateur-built airplane, N707JK, registered to Global Cub Air Inc., and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed in Pierson, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot received serious injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated in Ormond Beach, Florida, the same day, about 0710. A witness stated that he and the pilot of the accident airplane had both departed from Ormond Beach Airport, Ormond Beach, Florida, and had joined up and flew formation for a few minutes. He said they then separated and flew no more than a mile apart toward Lake Destin, intending to land on the grass strip at Pierson, Florida. He was about 900 to 1,000 feet, and N707JK was about 400 to 500 feet below, in a position forward of his airplane's wing, such that N707JK was in constant view. The witness said he saw left rudder movement on N707JK, and N707JK yawed to the left, yawed to the right, and then the nose dipped slightly and N707JK disappeared immediately in the canopy of trees. Within several seconds the witness said he was over the area where N707JK had disappeared, but he could not see anything due to the trees. He then increased his altitude, and made a radio communications call, declaring an emergency. After the airplane was recovered and examined, the rod end bearing on the elevator push/pull tube was found to have disconnected from the rear cockpit's control stick, resulting in a loss of elevator control. The connecting clevis bolt, castle nut, and cotter key were not recovered. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N707JK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N707JK-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N EX01, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: John L. Klein Marquart ChargerMA-5 - Registry model: [Klien John L MA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/klien-john-l-ma-5) (registry code 05691GN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: EX01 - Airframe hours: 324 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Global Cub Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 2002, 44 hours before - Departed: OMN, Ormond Beach, FL - Destination: 2J8, Pierson, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 2, 2002; seat: rear; flight hours: 613 total, 274 in this make and model, 554 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: DAB ## 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 20030625015909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030625015909A), Jun 25, 2003: Amtr MA5, Pierson, FL, Destroyed. (-23) PIC reported a loss of elevator control at cruise, lost control of aircraft and crashed in woods. FAA inspection found no continuity between yoke and… 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.