Smith RV-4 N63SM

Summary

On 15 April 2000 at about 18:19 local time, a Smith RV-4 registered N63SM was involved in an accident near Willows, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 April 2000 at 18:19

Classification

Accident

Location

Willows, California, United States

Coordinates

39.4995, -122.2799

Aircraft

Smith RV-4

Registration

N63SM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lincoln → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX00LA155

2 people had minor injuries.

Disconnection of the elevator push rod due to the owner/builder's improper installation of the rear jam nut on the elevator pushrod.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he lost elevator control while in cruise flight. He was attempting to land at an airport on a runway he was nearly aligned with. Using the manipulation of aircraft trim and throttle as a means of controlling the aircraft's pitch attitude, he tried to gain altitude by trimming the airplane in the full aft position, but found the elevator to be jammed. The pilot reduced the throttle and mixture and landed in a field. The airplane came to rest in an upright position. An FAA inspector examined the airplane following recovery and reported that control rod was improperly installed, allowing the rear jam nut on the elevator push rod to work loose. The push rod then rotated off the forward connection.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.