# NTSB MIA93LA185: Keuthan Buccaneer II, N693KA, Cocoa, FL, August 27, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1993, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Cocoa, FL
- Coordinates: 28.369462, -80.749694 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3695&lon=-80.7497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37388
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37388/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA185

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO PROPERLY REINSTALL A BOLT AND NUT IN THE ELEVATOR CONTROL LINKAGE, WHICH RESULTED IN A DISCONNECT OF THE LINKAGE AND LOSS OF ELEVATOR CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,installation - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator control cable/rod - not secured (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator control cable/rod - disconnected (cause)
  - elevator - not possible, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT HAD JUST BEEN REPAIRED AFTER RECEIVING TORNADO DAMAGE.  THIS REPAIR INCLUDED REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE ELEVATOR CONTROL TUBE.  THE PILOT TAXIED TO THE RUNWAY FOR THE PURPOSE OF A TEST FLIGHT.  ALL FLIGHT CONTROL CHECKS APPEARED NORMAL.  AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE PILOT INTENDED TO LEVEL OFF AT 5 TO 10 FEET, THEN TOUCH DOWN AGAIN.  HOWEVER, AFTER THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE, HE LOST ELEVATOR CONTROL, AND THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED STEEPLY TO 50 TO 75 FEET.  THE PILOT THEN REDUCED POWER, THE AIRCRAFT'S NOSE DROPPED, AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED.  WITH NO ELEVATOR CONTROL, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT, AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND.  A POST-CRASH EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT A BOLT AND NUT WERE MISSING FROM THE ELEVATOR CONTROL LINKAGE, WHICH ALLOWED THE LINKAGE TO BECOME DISCONNECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N693KA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N693KA-2021-01-30), registration cancelled 2021-01-30, S/N B2B-K025, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KEUTHAN BUCCANEER II (BUCCANEER)
- Registry model: [Keuthan Charles J BUCCANEER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/keuthan-charles-j-buccaneer-ii) (registry code 05623F4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: B2B-K025
- Engines: AMW 250-3C3 95 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Keuthan, Charles J.
- Registered owner: Keuthan, Charles J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, May 28, 1993
- Departed: COI
- Airport: COI, Merritt Island, runway 11, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 740 total, 35 in this make and model, 680 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TIX, 11 nm away

## 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 19930827031509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930827031509A), Aug 27, 1993: Amtrad BUCCANEER, Cocoa, FL, Substantial damage. Pitched up on takeoff. No elevator control. Cut power impacted nose down. No bolt in control tube. Just reworked.

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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