# NTSB NYC86FHD03: Passonno Skybolt, N8FP, Moorestown, NJ, August 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1986, 17:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Moorestown, NJ
- Location: 39.9671° N, 74.9427° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Moorestown, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9671&lon=-74.9427&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30219
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FHD03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30219/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FHD03

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight control,elevator - overload (cause)
  - flight control,stabilator - overload (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - not performed
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PASSONNO SKYBOLT WAS OBSERVED TO RECOVER FROM A LOOP AND THEN THE TAIL SURFACES STARTED TO SHAKE. THE ACFT THEN DESCENDED TO THE GROUND AND WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT. EXAMINATION OF VARIOUS HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND ELEVATOR COMPONENTS SHOWED THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO OVERSTRESS AND SHEER FORCES. IT WAS NOTED THAT BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO A DOWNWARD FORCE. IN ADDITION THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE ELEVATOR HAD NOT BEEN MODIFIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH DESIGN RECOMMENDATION REGARDING THE INSTALLATION OF LARGER ENGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8FP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8FP-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 1, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PASSONNO SKYBOLT
- Registry model: [Passonno SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/passonno-skybolt) (registry code 0565502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 390
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John D. Ransome
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1986, 14 hours before
- Departed: PNE, PHILADELPHI, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,500 total, 20 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19860827042519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860827042519A), Aug 27, 1986: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Moorestown, NJ, Destroyed. Elevator tab separated during aerobatic maneuvers. Aircraft hit trees. Suspect tab modification done improperly.

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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