# NTSB MKC84FU004: Amer. Aerolight Eagle 2 PLC, Millard, NE, July 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1984, 14:01 local (19:01 UTC)
- Place: Millard, NE
- Coordinates: 41.209957, -96.119415 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2100&lon=-96.1194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33567
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FU004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33567/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FU004

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - flt control syst,wing spoiler system - jammed (cause)
  - spiral - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER EXCHANGING THE CANARD ELEVATOR & READJUSTING THE SPOILER CONTROL TELEFLEX CABLE ROD END AT THE SPOILER BELLCRANK, HE TOOK OFF ON A TEST FLT. AFTER ABOUT 5 MIN OF FLT, THE RIGHT SPOILER FAILED TO RETRACT AFTER IT WAS USED DURING A RIGHT TURN. THE PLT TRIED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL BY APPLYING LEFT RUDDER. HE SAID THAT HE COULD STOP THE TURN WITH LEFT RUDDER APPLIED, BUT THIS CONTROL INPUT RESULTED IN THE NOSE OF THE VEHICLE PITCHING UP. WHEN HE REDUCED THE RUDDER, THE VEHICLE WOULD REENTER THE RIGHT TURN & THE NOSE WOULD DROP, PLACING THE VEHICLE IN A SPIRAL. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE CRASH LANDED ON A GOLF COURSE. AN EXAM REVEALED AN OVERLOAD FAILURE OF THE THREADS OF THE TELEFLEX CABLE BELLCRANK. THE REASON FOR THE OVERLOAD WAS NOT VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AMER. AEROLIGHT EAGLE 2 PLC (EAGLE 2 PL)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 20
- Engines: ROTAX 501 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: James C. Ladd Jr.
- Departed: MLE, MILLARD, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,800 total, 15 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OMA, 13 nm away

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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