# NTSB NYC90FHD01: Mason Hummel Bird, N51L, Lumberton, NJ, June 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1990, 11:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Lumberton, NJ
- Location: 39.9659° N, 74.8052° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lumberton, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9659&lon=-74.8052&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36554
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FHD01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36554/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FHD01

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE RUDDER ATTACH BOLT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT TO THE GROUND.

## 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
  - flight control,rudder - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PILOT MADE A NORMAL TAKEOFF.  WHEN THE AIRCRAFT HAD CLIMBED TO ABOUT 700 FEET, THE VERTICAL STABILIZER SEPARATED.  THE AIRCRAFT THEN WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND IMPACTED THE GROUND ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE AIRPORT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE RUDDER ATTACH BOLT HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51L-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N NCC1701 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MASON HUMMEL BIRD (HUMMEL BIR)
- Registry model: [Mason Larry L HUMMEL BIRD](https://openairdocs.org/model/mason-larry-l-hummel-bird) (registry code 05616HN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: NCC1701
- Engines: unknown reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mason, Larry L
- Departed: 7MY, NJ
- Airport: 7MY, South Jersey Regional, runway 8, 3,911 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIV

## 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 19900610019379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900610019379A), Jun 10, 1990: Amtr HUMMEL BIRD, Lumberton, NJ, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Vertical stabilizer separated on climbout. Homebuilt crashed inverted. Rudder attach bolt had failed.

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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