# NTSB SEA06LA175: Straw T-Bird II, N339JL, Leamington, UT, September 4, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 2006, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Leamington, UT
- Coordinates: 39.538612, -112.305274
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5386&lon=-112.3053&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06LA175

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of aircraft control (control not possible) due to the failure of the left elevator control surface which was the result of a missing inboard bolt (for undetermined reason) which holds the left elevator bow in place.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - missing (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined, pilot in command (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator control - failure,partial (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

Witnesses observed the airplane flying low to the west.  It started a left turn and continued until it nosed down to the ground.  The witnesses heard a loud engine sound all the way until impact.  A friend of the pilot examined the aircraft and found the inboard bolt on the left elevator bow was missing, and the outboard bolt was failed in a sheared/twisting mode.  The reason that the bolt was missing was undetermined.

## Factual narrative

On September 4, 2006, at approximately 1400 mountain daylight time, a Straw T-Bird II experimental homebuilt airplane, N339JL, was substantially damaged following impact with terrain near Leamington, Utah.  The private pilot, the sole occupant on board, was seriously injured.  The pilot/owner was operating the flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight;  the origination time was undetermined.  The pilot had not filed a flight plan.

Witnesses observed the airplane flying low to the west.  They said it started a left turn and continued until it nosed down to the ground.  They reported hearing a loud engine sound all the way until impact.  A friend of the pilot examined the aircraft and found the inboard bolt on the left elevator bow was missing, and the outboard bolt was failed in a sheared/twisting mode.  The reason that the bolt was missing was undetermined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N339JL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N339JL-2007-04-11), registration cancelled 2007-04-11, S/N 17804, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Straw T-Bird II
- Registry model: [Straw Jeffrey P T-BIRD II](https://openairdocs.org/model/straw-jeffrey-p-t-bird-ii) (registry code 05618T0) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 17804
- Engines: Rotax 912 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffrey P. Straw
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, August 1, 2006
- Departed: DTA, Delta, UT
- Destination: DTA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: PVU, 50 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 20060904018379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060904018379A), Sep 4, 2006: Amtr TBIRDII, Leamington, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) This is a preliminary report. There is a continuing investigation taking place regarding this accident. When more facts become known regarding this case,…

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.