# NTSB SEA98LA111: Koster Murphy Rebel, N265KK, Arlington, WA, June 27, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 1998, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Arlington, WA - Coordinates: 48.179103, -121.669441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1791&lon=-121.6694&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 February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42810 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42810/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA111 ## Probable cause The pilot/builder's attachment inadequate installation of the aileron control pushrods to the control stick assembly, resulting in the ailerons deflecting in a direction opposite of the input applied by the pilot. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to detect the improper operation of the aileron control. ## 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 - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - reversed - installation - inadequate, owner/pilot mechanic (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, owner/pilot mechanic (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - inaccurate - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Just after liftoff on its first flight after completion of construction, the aircraft started to roll slowly to the right. The pilot applied left aileron, but the aircraft rolled further to the right. The pilot then cut the power and attempted to land with full left rudder and significant left aileron applied. As the aircraft slowed, it rolled left and dropped onto the runway surface. A post-accident inspection of the aircraft revealed that the builder/pilot had rigged the ailerons backwards during construction (attached pushrods to the wrong control stick assembly holes), so that moving the stick to the left would cause the aircraft to roll to the right.. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 1998, approximately 1300 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Koster Murphy Rebel, N265KK, impacted the terrain during the initial climb after takeoff from Arlington Municipal Airport, Arlington, Washington. The airline transport pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which had been built and was owned by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 local pleasure flight was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and the ELT, which was activated by the impact, was turned off at the scene. According to the pilot, this was the first flight of the aircraft after completion of its construction. He said that just after liftoff, the aircraft started to roll to the right, so he applied slight left aileron as a correction. Instead of the aircraft rolling back toward the left, as the pilot expected, it rolled even further to the right. The pilot then cut the power and attempted to land while holding a significant amount of left aileron and full left rudder. As the aircraft slowed, it rolled left, the nose dropped, and soon thereafter, the aircraft impacted the runway surface. A post-accident inspection of the aircraft revealed that the builder/pilot had rigged the ailerons backwards during construction (attached pushrods to the wrong control stick assembly holes), so that moving the stick to the left would cause the aircraft to roll to the right. Also, during a post-accident interview, the pilot stated that he had done a hurried pre-flight that day because someone had changed the lock on the hanger where his aircraft was housed, and that had put him a couple of hours behind schedule. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N265KK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N265KK-2010-10-19), registration cancelled 2010-10-19, S/N 265, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Koster MURPHY REBEL (MURPHY REB) - Registry model: [Koster Ken MURPHY REBEL](https://openairdocs.org/model/koster-ken-murphy-rebel) (registry code 05605FD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 265 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth K. Koster - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 1998, 0 hours before - Departed: AWO - Airport: AWO, Arlington Municipal, runway 34, 5,333 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 25,000 total, 2 in this make and model, 18,000 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F ## 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 19980627031099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980627031099A), Jun 27, 1998: Amtr MURPHYREBEL, Arlington, WA, Substantial damage. (.4)Just after liftoff on its first flight after completion of construction, the aircraft started to roll slowly to the right. The pilot applied left aileron,… 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.