Higher Class SUPER HORNET N45YB

Summary

On 10 December 2006 at about 16:52 local time, a Higher Class SUPER HORNET registered N45YB was involved in an accident near Chandler, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 December 2006 at 16:52

Classification

Accident

Location

Chandler, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Williams Afb (CHD)

Coordinates

33.2578, -111.8253

Aircraft

Higher Class SUPER HORNET

Registration

N45YB

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chandler → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX07LA055

1 person was seriously injured.

A loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that since taking delivery of the airplane, he had been having difficulty flying in a level attitude without applying left stick and left rudder. He contacted the factory and was advised as to what adjustments needed to be made to correct the airplane's out-of-trim condition. According to the manufacturer, those adjustments needed to be completed by an A&P certificated mechanic. During an interview with a Safety Board investigator, the pilot stated that he was not an A & P certificated mechanic, but he made the adjustments to the trim himself. On the day of the accident, after takeoff, the airplane banked and yawed to the right. When the pilot input left stick and left rudder to correct to a level flight attitude, there was no response from the airplane. The airplane continued to make a complete right-hand circle before the pilot was able to make an off airport landing where it struck a berm. Two separate examinations of the wreckage were conducted and investigators found that the airplane had been trimmed to fly to the left. No other mechanical abnormalities were found.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.