# NTSB MIA91LA137: Cessna 172K, N7270G, Bunnell, FL, May 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1991, 11:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Bunnell, FL
- Location: 29.4661° N, 81.2578° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bunnell, FL, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4661&lon=-81.2578&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32863
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32863/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA137

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT DUE TO A FOREIGN OBJECT WHICH RESTRICTED THE MOVEMENT OF THE ELEVATOR FLIGHT CONTROL.

## 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 - foreign object (cause)
  - flight control,elevator - movement restricted (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF THE CFI & STUDENT REPORTED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PUSH THE CONTROL COLUMN.  THE CFI REDUCED THE THROTTLE BUT THE ACFT STALLED, CRASHED IN A LAKE & CAME TO REST INVERTED.  POST CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT A SCREWDRIVER WAS LOCATED NEAR THE CONTROL TEE.  THE CONTROL TEE WAS FOUND TO BE SCRATCHED.  A SIMILAR EVENT OCCURRED WHILE THE CFI WAS ABOARD THE ACFT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLT BUT INSP BY A MECHANIC REVEALED NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE AS TO THE REASON FOR THE BINDING. MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO CAUSE BINDING OF THE ELEVATOR CONTROL WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7270G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7270G), registered now, S/N 17258970, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258970
- Airframe hours: 1371
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Seaplane Services, Inc.
- Registered owner: Neidhardt, Alfred E.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 28, 1991, 95 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,416 total, 143 in this make and model, 2,135 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °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 19910507014449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910507014449A), May 7, 1991: Cessna 172K, Bunnell, FL, Substantial damage. Elevator became jammed on water takeoff. Cut power and stalled. Found rusty screw driver. Appears jammed control.

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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