# NTSB WPR11CA112: Harvey Patten Rans S-6ES, N8053R, Buckeye, AZ, January 28, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 28, 2011, 14:35 local (21:35 UTC) - Place: Buckeye, AZ - Coordinates: 33.422222, -112.686386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4222&lon=-112.6864&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA WP Operations Center - NTSB case key (mKey): 78233 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78233/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78233 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA112 ## Probable cause A disconnection of the elevator control linkage due to incorrect installation or maintenance, which was due to the retaining nut backing off the bolt and allowing the bolt to fall out. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: elevator control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Harvey Patten RANS S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730/cases.md?model=056235W), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Harvey Patten RANS S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=056235W), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Harvey Patten RANS S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=056235W), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Harvey Patten RANS S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056235W), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Harvey Patten RANS S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056235W), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis While in cruise flight the pilot realized that he had lost elevator control. The pilot attempted to determine if there was any way to reestablish elevator control but was unsuccessful. He was able to maintain pitch control by increasing or decreasing engine power. During a precautionary landing the airplane impacted the runway hard and sustained substantial damage to the firewall. On-scene inspection of the aircraft’s elevator control system revealed that the bolt that connects the aft elevator push-pull control tube to the pilot and copilot's control stick bellcrank was missing, and was not found during a thorough inspection of the area. In addition, the bolt that connects the forward push-pull tube to the control stick bellcrank was ready to fall out. These bolts are an AN-type drilled shank bolt requiring a castellated nut and cotter pin for security. Neither of the nuts or cotter pins were found. The aircraft had 197 hours total time. The last condition inspection was performed 2 months and 24 operating hours prior to the accident. It could not be determined if the cotter pin had ever been installed. ## Factual narrative While in cruise flight the pilot realized he had lost elevator control. The pilot attempted to determine if there was any way to re-establish elevator control but was unsuccessful. He was able to maintain pitch control by increasing or decreasing engine power. During a precautionary landing the airplane was damaged when it impacted the runway hard and damaged the firewall. On scene inspection of the aircraft’s elevator control system by an FAA Airworthiness Inspector revealed the bolt that connects the aft elevator push pull control tube to the pilot and copilot's control stick bellcrank was missing, and was not found during a thorough inspection of the area. In addition, the bolt that connects the forward push pull tube to the control stick bellcrank was ready to fall out. These bolts are an AN type drilled shank bolt requiring a castellated nut and cotter pin for security. Neither of the nuts or cotter pins were found. The aircraft has 197 hours total time. The last condition inspection was performed 2 months and 24 operating hours prior to the accident. It could not be determined if the cotter pin had ever been installed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8053R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8053R), registered now, S/N 08061764, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HARVEY PATTEN RANS S-6ES - Registry model: [Harvey Patten RANS S-6ES](https://openairdocs.org/model/harvey-patten-rans-s-6es) (registry code 056235W) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300a) (registry code 34804, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 08061764 - Airframe hours: 197 - Engines: JABIRU 3300 120 horsepower - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 7, 2010, 20 hours before - Departed: SEZ, Sedona, AZ - Destination: BXK, Buckeye, AZ - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: BXK, Buckeye Municipal Airport, runway 17, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review January 13, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,903 total, 307 in this make and model, 1,903 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: BXK ## 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 20110128001009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110128001009A), Jan 28, 2011: Harvey Patt RANS S-6ES, Buckeye, AZ, Substantial damage. On 01-28-2011 pilot reported after departing the sedona AZ (sez) airport with a planned flight to the Buckeye AZ airport (bxk) he proceeded to climb at 90MPH… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 1, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78233. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344380&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - PHOTOS- 4 Embedded photos (item 2, .PDF, 282 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344378&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=PHOTOS-%204%20Embedded%20photos-Master.PDF - FAA IIC Investigation Statement (item 3, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20IIC%20Investigation%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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.