# NTSB NYC08LA018: Blair Skybolt, N1UU, Guntersville, AL, October 20, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 2007, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Guntersville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.399444, -86.270278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3994&lon=-86.2703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66958
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66958/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA018

## Probable cause

Separation of the right tailwheel control link spring from the right control arm of the tailwheel, which resulted in a loss of control during landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,steering system - separation (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

During the touchdown, the airplane "didn't seem to respond to control inputs," departed the right side of the runway, and ground looped in the surrounding grass. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the control link spring had separated from the right control arm of the tailwheel. The reason for the separation was not identified. The winds reported around the time of the accident were calm.

## Factual narrative

On October 20, 2007, about 1700 central daylight time, an amateur-built Blair Skybolt, N1UU, veered off the runway after landing at Guntersville Municipal Airport (8A1), Guntersville, Alabama. The certificated private pilot and passenger were uninjured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan had been filed.

According to the pilot, after a normal touchdown, the airplane "didn't seem to respond to control inputs," and the airplane began to veer to the right as it decelerated. The airplane departed the right side of the runway, and ground looped in the surrounding grass. The left main gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest facing opposite to the direction of landing. According to the passenger, there was "little to no wind," and the runway was dry.

Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the control link spring had separated from the right control arm of the tailwheel. FAA information indicated that the paved runway was 3,368 feet long and 95 feet wide.

The 1700 surface weather observation at an airport 10 miles south of the accident airport reported calm winds, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 23 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 1 degree C, and an altimeter setting of 30.02 inches of mercury.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1UU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1UU-2008-01-04), registration cancelled 2008-01-04, S/N 1UU, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Blair Skybolt
- Registry model: [Blair SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/blair-skybolt) (registry code 0562822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: N1UU
- Engines: Lycoming IO360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: UNKOWN
- Destination: 8A1, Guntersville, AL
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 8A1, Guntersville Municipal Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: 8A0, 10 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 20071020824139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071020824139A), Oct 20, 2007: Amtr SKYBOLT, Guntersville, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) According to the pilot, landing was normal. Upon touchdown aircraft veered to right as plane slowed. Aircraft did not respond to control inputs. Aircraft…

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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