Halbrook RANS S-6S N280JH

Summary

On 17 November 2010 at about 22:30 local time, a Halbrook RANS S-6S registered N280JH, operated by Airflight, LLC., was involved in an accident near St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States. 2 people were 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

17 November 2010 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States

Nearest airport

St. Cloud Regional Airport (KSTC)

Coordinates

45.5467, -94.0600

Aircraft

Halbrook RANS S-6S

Registration

N280JH

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Airflight, LLC.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

St. Cloud → St. Cloud

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN11LA077

Nobody was injured.

The airplane kit manufacturer’s recommended use of an improper nut type for securing the door hinge.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while practicing touch-and-go landings he noticed that the nut from the forward door hinge of the left cabin door was missing. He decided to make a full stop landing to inspect further. During final approach, the door separated from the fuselage; the pilot was able to complete the landing without further incident. A postaccident examination confirmed that the forward door hinge bolt/nut assembly had backed-off during flight, which precipitated the door separating from the airplane. The airplane kit manufacturer guidance indicated that a shear stop nut was to be used in the gull-wing (upward opening) door hinge assemblies. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advises (in Advisory Circular 43.13-1B) that self-locking nuts, such as the type used on the accident airplane door, are not recommended for use on parts subject to rotation. The FAA further advises that the use of self-locking castellated nuts with cotter pins or lockwire is a more suitable method to secure rotating parts. According to the kit manufacturer, the accident flight was the first documented instance where a door separated during flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.