# NTSB NYC92DNE01: Advanced Buccaneer SX B1B-503, Palmer, MA, November 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1991, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, MA
- Location: 42.1584° N, 72.3287° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palmer, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1584&lon=-72.3287&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37039
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92DNE01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37039/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92DNE01

## Probable cause

A FAILED LOWER RUDDER ATTACH PIVOT BOLT WHICH RESULTED IN JAMMED FLIGHT CONTROLS AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO TREES.

## 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
  - flt control syst,rudder control attach points - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flt control syst,elevator control - jammed
  - flt control syst,rudder - jammed
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT STARTED A TURN.  HE HEARD SOMETHING LET GO AND THE RUDDER AND ELEVATOR JAMMED.  HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE AND MADE AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO TREES.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE LOWER RUDDER ATTACH PIVOT BOLT HAD FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE AIRPLANE WAS AN ULTRALIGHT OPERATING AS AN UNREGISTERED AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ADVANCED AVIATION BUCCANEER SX B1B-503 (BUCCANEER)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: ROTAX 503 46 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clifford W. Heaton
- Registered owner: Clifford W. Heaton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: PMX, Palmer Metro, runway 4, 2,475 × 55 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 280 total, 80 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 40° at 20 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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