# NTSB NYC91FA120: Piper J5A, N35826, Newbury, MA, April 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1991, 11:55 local (15:55 UTC)
- Place: Newbury, MA
- Location: 42.7708° N, 70.8730° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Town of Newbury, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7708&lon=-70.8730&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36790/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA120

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF INFLIGHT CONTROL, WHICH WAS THE RESULT OF A JAMMED RIGHT AILERON BELLCRANK ASSEMBLY.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE; THE IMPROPER MAINTENANCE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM, AND THE INCOMPLETE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight control,aileron attachment - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight control,aileron - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WITNESSES SAID THAT AS SOON AS THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE, IT STARTED A STEEPLY BANKED LEFT TURN AND DESCENDED INTO A TREE AND STRUCK THE GROUND. AN EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM REVEALED A BROKEN RIGHT AILERON BRACKET AND A TEAR IN THE SHEET METAL AFT OF THIS BRACKET.  A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THIS DAMAGE OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.  THE AIRPLANE ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS OVERDUE BY ONE MONTH.  THE PIPER SERVICE MANUAL AND BULLETINS RECOMMENDED REGULAR INSPECTION OF THIS BELLCRANK ASSEMBLY. TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, A FRIEND OF THE PILOT'S AND A PRIVATE PILOT HIMSELF, SAW THE RIGHT AILERON OF N35826 FLAPPING UP AND DOWN DURING A WIND/RAIN STORM.  THE LEFT AILERON WAS STREAMLINED.  ED HATT, A RESTORER OF J5A'S, SAID IN HIS REPORT, 'IT IS MY OPINION...THAT THE NUT...'HUNG' ON THE TORN TAILING EDGE...JAMMING THE AILERON BELLCRANK AND CAUSING A LOSS OF AILERON CONTROL.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35826](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35826-1991-10-31), registration cancelled 1991-10-31, S/N 5797 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J5A
- Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5-797
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Phillip G. Cummings
- Registered owner: Phillip G. Cummings
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: Plum Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 950 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910423012079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910423012079A), Apr 23, 1991: Piper STCJ5, Newburyport, MA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Strong surface winds damaged aileron bellcrank while tied down. Pilot failed note on preflight. Crashed on takeoff.

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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