# NTSB SEA95LA007: Bony MB-1, N51MB, Madras, OR, October 8, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 8, 1994, 13:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Madras, OR - Coordinates: 44.599216, -121.050018 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5992&lon=-121.0500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42079 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42079/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA007 ## Probable cause THE JAMMING OF THE RUDDER DURING DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FLYING SPEED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - flt control syst,rudder control - jammed (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not possible - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis WHILE CLIMBING OUT AFTER TAKEOFF, ABOUT 500 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE HOME BUILT AIRPLANE SUDDENLY ENTERED AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT TURN. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY LEFT RUDDER BUT COULD NOT. THE RUDDER HAD JAMMED TO THE RIGHT. WHILE THE PILOT CONTINUED TO MANEUVER THE AIRPLANE AND REMEDY THE SITUATION, HE SUDDENLY OBSERVED POWERLINES AHEAD OF THE AIRPLANE AND BANKED AWAY FROM THEM. THE AIRPLANE AERODYNAMICALLY STALLED AND SPUN INTO THE GROUND DURING THE MANEUVER. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE TO DETERMINE FLIGHT CONTROL FUNCTION WAS NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO FIRE AND IMPACT DAMAGE. ## Factual narrative On October 8, 1994, about 1340 hours Pacific daylight time, N51MB, a Bony MB-1 home built airplane, operated by the owner/pilot, impacted terrain during an uncontrolled descent and was destroyed in Madras, Oregon. There was fire. The uncontrolled descent was precipitated by a flight control malfunction while climbing. The certificated recreational pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight departed from Madras and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot: After passing end of runway 16 at [about] 500 [feet above the ground,] I made slight power reduction and lowered the nose. At this point, the plane started a right turn without my input to do so. I attempted to straighten out but could not obtain left rudder. I continued to fly the airplane and made 2 complete right turns while trying to figure things out and free the controls. On the third turn I saw a powerline and in order to pass over it added power and leveled the wings.... This application of left aileron created a cross controlled situation and I probably spun in from near powerline height. I cleared the line but impacted the ground shortly beyond. According to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector from Hillsboro, Oregon, the airplane impacted a field located about 1/2 mile southwest of the departure airport. A ground fire had engulfed the wreckage. A determination of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions could not be made due to impact and thermal damage. The FAA inspector also stated that the "pilot's statement is consistent with findings." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51MB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51MB-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 101, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BONY MB-1 - Registry model: [Bony Melford A MB-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bony-melford-a-mb-1) (registry code 05616R2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 101 - Airframe hours: 129 - Engines: MAZDA 12A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bony, Melford A. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1994, 20 hours before - Departed: S33, OR - Destination: PRINEVILLE, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 197 total, 71 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RDM, 16 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 19941008039069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941008039069A), Oct 8, 1994: Piper PA28*, Madras, OR, Destroyed. Crashed short of runway. Witness heard engine fail. Stalled. 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.