# NTSB SEA01LA141: Taylor Smith Mini DSA-1, N53BT, Sultan, WA, July 22, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 2001, 19:20 local (Jul 22, 2001, 02:20 UTC) - Place: Sultan, WA - Coordinates: 47.849132, -121.740966 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8491&lon=-121.7410&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52806 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52806/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA141 ## Probable cause The separation/loss of the bolt and castle nut which connected the elevator bellcrank to the control stick pushrod resulting in a disconnect between the cockpit and the control surface and ultimately, the pilot's total loss of pitch control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - separation (cause) - flt control syst,elevator control cable/rod - disconnected - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not possible - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis While flying westbound along US Highway 2, the pilot made an elevator input in the homebuilt, experimentally certificated Smith Mini DSA-1 aircraft, and became aware that the control stick had no effect on pitch attitude. After an initial climb, the aircraft transitioned into a descent and the pilot retarded the throttle to idle and bailed out, parachuting safely to the ground. A post-crash examination was unable to locate the one-quarter inch diameter bolt, which connects the control stick push rod to the elevator actuating bellcrank. The loss of this bolt would result in a disconnection between the pilot's control stick and the elevator, and the subsequent inability by the pilot to maintain pitch control of the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2001, approximately 1920 Pacific daylight time, a Taylor Smith Mini DSA-1 homebuilt aircraft, N53BT, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during an uncontrolled descent near Sultan, Washington. The pilot, who had bailed out of the aircraft prior to ground impact, was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14 CFR 91, and originated from Ephrata, Washington, approximately 1830. The pilot reported that while flying westbound along US Highway 2, and approaching Sultan, Washington, he made an elevator input and became aware that the control stick had no effect on pitch attitude. He allowed the aircraft to climb for a short time after which it began a "pushover." The pilot retarded the throttle to idle, exited the aircraft and parachuted to the ground. The aircraft descended out of control impacting in an open field several thousand feet west of the Sultan airport. There was no post impact fire and no property damage aside from the aircraft. An FAA inspector subsequently interviewed the pilot. He reported that the pilot stated "...he had no control over the elevator prior to bailing out of the aircraft..." and that "...the stick was not jammed, it just moved full travel with no effect on the elevator...." The pilot subsequently reported that a one-quarter inch diameter bolt, which connects the control stick push rod to the elevator actuating bellcrank, could not be found in the wreckage. Loss of this bolt would result in a disconnection between the pilot's control stick and the elevator. The pilot also recommended the use of a locknut rather than the previously used castle nut and cotter pin. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53BT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53BT-2012-08-06), registration cancelled 2012-08-06, S/N DSA53T, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TAYLOR Smith Mini DSA-1 - Registry model: [Taylor Robert H SMITH MINI DSA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylor-robert-h-smith-mini-dsa-1) (registry code 8350237) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 01 - Airframe hours: 750 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gruber, Carl S. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 2001, 50 hours before - Departed: EPH, ePHRATA, WA - Destination: S86, Sultan, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 27, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 3,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: PAE, 40 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 20010722038019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010722038019A), Jul 22, 2001: Amtr DSA1, Sultan, WA, No damage. (-23) According to witness' and pilot's account, the pilot lost elevator control during takeoff climb. Pilot proceeded to parachute from the aircraft. The… ## Other investigations on N53BT (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX84LA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA284), May 6, 1984: Taylor Smith Mini DSA-1 (N53BT), Hayward, CA, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.