# NTSB SEA89LA130: Cushing C2, N129C, John Day, OR, July 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1989, 11:43 local (18:43 UTC)
- Place: John Day, OR
- Coordinates: 44.419197, -118.940597 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4192&lon=-118.9406&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 August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41045/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA130

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IMPROPERLY CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE AIRPLANE BY ELONGATING HOLES AT THE WING ATTACHMENT. THE CHANGE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL. AS A RESULT OF THE CHANGE, THE WING SEPARATED AT THE SPAR.

## 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
  - wing,spar - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,design change - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing,wing attachment fitting - elongated (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing,spar - deteriorated (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO THE PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN ASSEMBLING THE LEFT WING, THE MOUNT BOLTS WOULD NOT ALIGN. THE PILOT DRILLED NEW HOLES ELONGATING THE ORIGINAL HOLES. THE WING WAS ASSEMBLED AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF. JUST AFTER LIFT OFF, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO PORPOISE. SHORTLY THERE AFTER, THE LEFT WING FOLDED BACK AND UP. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED INVERTED TO THE LEFT AND SKIDDED DOWN THE RUNWAY. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE WING BROKE AWAY AT THE SPAR. DRY  ROT WAS NOTED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N129C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N129C-1989-12-11), registration cancelled 1989-12-11, S/N 12 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CUSHING C2
- Registry model: [Cushing C2](https://openairdocs.org/model/cushing-c2) (registry code 05603F8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 12
- Airframe hours: 338
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN UNKNOWN 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wright, Jerry W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1988, 1 hours before
- Airport: 5JD, John Day, runway 27, 3,436 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 135 total, 3 in this make and model, 91 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles

## 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 19890709020889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890709020889A), Jul 9, 1989: Conaer C2, John Day, OR, Substantial damage. Left wing failed after liftoff and folded over aircraft as it crashed inverted. Wing spar and wing had dry rot.

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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