# NTSB SEA78FYM50: Mini Coupe Buffum, N75MB, Independence, OR, August 30, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 30, 1978
- Place: Independence, OR · INDEPENDENCE, OR
- Location: 44.8578° N, 123.1977° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Independence, OR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8578&lon=-123.1977&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 26, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139268
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA78FYM50
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FYM50

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3273  78/8/30    INDEPENDENCE,OR     MINI COUPE BUFFUM   CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 36, 200
        TIME - 1221                    N75MB               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - INDEPENDENCE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          INDEPENDENCE,OR             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           SYSTEMS - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: ELEVATOR AND ELEVATOR TAB CONTROL SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - JAMMED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INTERFERENCE WITH FLIGHT CONTROLS
           MISCELLANEOUS - FOREIGN MATERIAL AFFECTING NORMAL OPERATIONS
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFT (OWNER-PILOT)
        REMARKS- SCREW DRIVER IN CTL BOX JAMMED ELEV PUSH PULL TUBE WHICH BROKE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75MB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75MB-2012-10-19), registration cancelled 2012-10-19, S/N MC-112, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MINI COUPE BUFFUM
- Registry model: [Buffum MINI-COUPE](https://openairdocs.org/model/buffum-mini-coupe) (registry code 0565410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Independence

## 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 19780830035669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780830035669A), Aug 30, 1978: Kinner SPORTSTERK, Independence, OR, Substantial damage. Screw driver in ctl box jammed elev push pull tube which broke.

## Other investigations on N75MB (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 SEA77DYM48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77DYM48), Jul 23, 1977: Buffum Mini Coupe (N75MB), Willsonville, OR, 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.

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