Taylor SMITH MINI DSA-1 N53BT

Summary

On 22 July 2001 at about 02:20 local time, a Taylor SMITH MINI DSA-1 registered N53BT was involved in an accident near Sultan, Washington, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 July 2001 at 02:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Sultan, Washington, United States

Coordinates

47.8491, -121.7410

Aircraft

Taylor SMITH MINI DSA-1

Registration

N53BT

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

ePHRATA → Sultan

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA01LA141

Nobody was injured.

The separation/loss of the bolt and castle nut which connected the elevator bellcrank to the control stick pushrod resulting in a disconnect between the cockpit and the control surface and ultimately, the pilot's total loss of pitch control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While flying westbound along US Highway 2, the pilot made an elevator input in the homebuilt, experimentally certificated Smith Mini DSA-1 aircraft, and became aware that the control stick had no effect on pitch attitude. After an initial climb, the aircraft transitioned into a descent and the pilot retarded the throttle to idle and bailed out, parachuting safely to the ground. A post-crash examination was unable to locate the one-quarter inch diameter bolt, which connects the control stick push rod to the elevator actuating bellcrank. The loss of this bolt would result in a disconnection between the pilot's control stick and the elevator, and the subsequent inability by the pilot to maintain pitch control of the aircraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.