# NTSB WPR23LA128: Jones Jay D Cassutt M 11, N55XJ, Castroville, CA, March 12, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 12, 2023, 15:05 local (22:05 UTC) - Place: Castroville, CA · Flooded farm field on edge of slough. - Coordinates: 36.761053, -121.75544 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7611&lon=-121.7554&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 106887 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106887/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106887 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA128 ## Probable cause A failure of the outboard trailing edge rib in the left wing, which resulted in a separation of the left aileron and a loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wing structure: plates/skins (on wing)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035730): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Not specified; cases with it: [Jones Jay D CASSUTT M 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035730/cases.md?model=05614QO), [All aircraft, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035730/cases.md) - [Wing structure: ribs/bulkheads (on wing)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035712): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Not specified; cases with it: [Jones Jay D CASSUTT M 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035712/cases.md?model=05614QO), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035712/cases.md) - [Wing structure: ribs/bulkheads (on wing)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035712): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Jones Jay D CASSUTT M 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035712/cases.md?model=05614QO), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035712/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Jones Jay D CASSUTT M 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=05614QO), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Jones Jay D CASSUTT M 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05614QO), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337) (defining event); cases with it: [Jones Jay D CASSUTT M 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md?model=05614QO), [All aircraft, 290 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing an aileron roll when the airplane suddenly entered an uncommanded high-g maneuver, and he lost control of the airplane. He was able to release his seat belt and parachute to the ground. The left wing and aileron separated from the airplane before impacting a muddy field. The mostly intact left aileron, attached torque tube, and both trailing edge ribs separated from the wing and the torque tube fractured from the bellcrank in the fuselage. The forward halves of the upper and lower flanges and the forward flange of the outboard trailing edge rib were separated cleanly from the wing consistent with an adhesive type failure at the interface between the carbon and adhesive. The aft halves of the upper and lower flanges of the outboard trailing edge rib were separated from the trailing edge skins with a cohesive type failure through the adhesive. The lower flange also had evidence of foam core material in the bond line. The available evidence suggests that the outboard trailing edge rib failed along the bond lines between the rib, rear spar, and trailing edge skins, which resulted in a loss of control when the left aileron separated from the wing and the left wing separated from the airplane. ## Factual narrative On March 12, 2023, at 1505 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Cassutt M11, N55XJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Castroville, California. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated he had conducted clearing turns and was performing an aileron roll when the airplane suddenly entered an uncommanded high-g maneuver, and he lost control of the airplane. He was able to release his seat belt and parachute to the ground. The left wing and aileron separated from the airplane before impacting a muddy field. The aileron is normally connected to a torque tube that runs along the aft side of the rear spar into the fuselage. The torque tube passes through an inboard trailing edge rib at the wing root and an outboard trailing edge rib adjacent to the inboard end of the aileron. The trailing edge rib is made from carbon fiber skins with a foam core. The mostly intact left aileron, attached torque tube, and both trailing edge ribs separated from the wing and the torque tube fractured from the bellcrank in the fuselage. The intact carbon fiber outboard trailing edge rib remained with the torque tube. There was no apparent damage to the outboard trailing edge rib carbon laminate. The forward halves of the upper and lower flanges and the forward flange of the outboard trailing edge rib were separated cleanly from the wing consistent with an adhesive type failure at the interface between the carbon and adhesive. The aft halves of the upper and lower flanges of the outboard trailing edge rib were separated from the trailing edge skins with a cohesive type failure through the adhesive. The lower flange also had evidence of foam core material in the bond line. There was excess adhesive on the inboard side of the outboard trailing edge rib. In contrast, the inboard trailing edge rib was fractured through the carbon and the remaining upper and lower flanges had portions of the wing structure substrate still attached. There was not a failure in the bond line at the inboard trailing edge rib. There was no damage to the outboard aileron pin. The aileron torque tube was bent aft near its attach point to the aileron. The left wing separated from the fuselage and remained mostly intact. The upper trailing edge skin was separated from the left wing above the location of the aileron torque tube and was not recovered. The upper trailing edge skin was torn at the forward end, separated along the skin bond at the trailing edge, and fractured through the foam core in the middle. The main spar fractured just outboard of the attach bracket and photos showed fiber tearing and crushing consistent with overload failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55XJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55XJ), registered now, S/N JDJ002C, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JONES JAY D CASSUTT M 11 - Registry model: [Jones Jay D CASSUTT M 11](https://openairdocs.org/model/jones-jay-d-cassutt-m-11) (registry code 05614QO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JDJ002C - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 767 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 2, 2022, 1 hours before - Departed: OAR, Marina, CA - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: serious; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 4, 2022; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 17,600 total, 54 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KOAR, 5 nm away - METAR: KOAR 121255Z AUTO 12006KT 10SM BKN080 OVC110 11/11 A3006 RMK AO2 ## 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 20230312007109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230312007109A), Mar 12, 2023: Jones Jay D CASSUTT M 11, Castroville, CA, Destroyed. Castroville, CA: [privacy data omitted] cassutt m 11, due to unknown circumstances the pilot parachuted out of the aircraft. The pilot landed in a muddy area &… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106887. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17168241&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_N55XJ%20(003)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Structures report (item 2, PDF, 9 pages, 9 photos, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17201954&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20AS40%20Structures%20Report-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 8 pages, 7 photos, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17202561&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20Photos%20WPR23LA128-Rel.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.