# NTSB SEA04LA103: D'Amico Kitfox Series 7, N1852N, Caldwell, ID, June 5, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 5, 2004, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Caldwell, ID - Coordinates: 47.589138, -116.909851 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5891&lon=-116.9099&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59417 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59417/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA103 ## Probable cause The disconnection of the elevator pitch control assembly and the pitch rod during the takeoff as a result of an unsecured bolt. ## 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 - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - missing (cause) - flt control syst,elevator control cable/rod - disconnected (cause) - Forced landing, takeoff - aborted - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot reported that he accomplished his normal run-up and control checks prior to takeoff. The pilot stated that as the aircraft was accelerating during the takeoff ground roll, he suddenly could not feel the usual back-pressure on the elevator control. The pilot checked the manual trim and confirmed that it was in the takeoff position and as he was about to reduce power to abort the takeoff, the "...plane catapulted up in the air at a high angle of attack, without pitch control input from me." The pilot stated that he immediately put the manual pitch trim control in a nose-down range and the airplane responded "violently." The pilot continued to manipulate the elevator trim as the aircraft oscillated three to four times before gradually attaining a more level attitude. The aircraft landed hard and flat on the remaining runway, subsequently breaking the nose gear wheel, and damaging the propeller and main gear. Further damage included buckled floor boards and structural damage to the fuselage. Post-accident inspection of the airplane found that the connecting bolt between the pitch control assembly and the pitch rod (to the elevator) had come off. The bolt was located, however, the self-locking castle nut with a nylon insert which the pilot stated that he used to secure the bolt was not located. ## Factual narrative On June 5, 2004, about 1030 mountain daylight time, an experimental D'Amico Kitfox Series 7, N1852N, registered to and flown by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a hard landing at Caldwell Industrial, Caldwell, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he accomplished his normal run-up and control checks prior to takeoff from runway 12. The pilot stated that as the aircraft was accelerating during the takeoff ground roll, he suddenly could not feel the usual back-pressure on the elevator control. The pilot checked the manual trim and confirmed that it was in the takeoff position and as he was about to reduce power to abort the takeoff, the "...plane catapulted up in the air at a high angle of attack, without pitch control input from me." The pilot stated that he immediately put the manual pitch trim control in a nose-down range and the airplane responded "violently." The pilot continued to manipulate the elevator trim as the aircraft oscillated three to four times before gradually attaining a more level attitude. The aircraft landed hard and flat on the remaining runway, subsequently breaking the nose gear wheel, and damaging the propeller and main gear. Further damage included buckled floor boards and structural damage to the fuselage. After the aircraft was pushed off the runway and returned to the pilot's hangar, the seats were removed to view the pitch push rod assembly. The pilot reported that he found that the connecting bolt between the pitch control assembly and the pitch rod (to the elevator) had come off. The pilot discontinued the inspection and notified the Federal Aviation Administration of the accident and his findings. An Inspector from the Boise, Idaho, Flight Standards District Office inspected the aircraft and confirmed the findings. The Inspector reported that the bolt used to secure the elevator control push rod to the push rod end was found laying on the bottom of the elevator control surface. The nut which was used to secure the bolt was not found. The pilot reported that the nut used to secure the bolt was a self-locking castle nut with a nylon insert. The pilot also reported that the controls had been previously inspected by a Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) and signed off. The DAR reported that he was sure that he confirmed the presence of the nut during his inspection and sign-off of the aircraft on April 24, 2004. During a follow-up conversation with the pilot on July 16, 2004, he reported that after an extensive search of the aircraft, the missing nut was not located. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1852N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1852N), registered now, S/N S60111-074 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: D'Amico Kitfox Series 7 - Registry model: [Damico Michael J KITFOX SERIES 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/damico-michael-j-kitfox-series-7) (registry code 05614UI) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: S60111-074 - Airframe hours: 10 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael J. D'Amico - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 2004, 10 hours before - Departed: EUL, Caldwell, ID - Destination: EUL - Airport: EUL, Caldwell Industrial, runway 12, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 23, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 440 total, 10 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: EUL ## 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 20040605010109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040605010109A), Jun 5, 2004: Caldwell, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) This Kitfox was built by the owner/pilot. The aircraft received a special airworthiness certificate on April 24, 2004, in the experimental amateur-built… 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.