Roger M Allen RA2 N952RA

Summary

On 6 August 2017 at about 20:51 local time, a Roger M Allen RA2 registered N952RA was involved in an accident near Hector, Minnesota, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 August 2017 at 20:51

Classification

Accident

Location

Hector, Minnesota, United States

Nearest airport

Hector Muni (1D6)

Coordinates

44.7311, -94.7119

Aircraft

Roger M Allen RA2

Registration

N952RA

Category

Airplane

Year built

2011

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hector → Hector

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN17LA304

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot’s improper installation of the control stick hardware, which resulted in a loss of elevator control in flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot and passenger were departing on a local flight in the experimental, amateur-built airplane. The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, he pulled back on the control stick, but instead of rotating off the runway, the airplane bounced, then pitched straight up. Once airborne, the airplane did not respond to the pilot's control inputs. The pilot reduced the engine power and the airplane stalled. The nose dropped, and the airplane subsequently impacted terrain. Examination found that the control stick was not connected to the elevator bracket. A search of the wreckage did not locate any nut that would have secured the bolt. The pilot reported that he would have used a castellated nut with a cotter pin to secure the bolt; however, he could not remember installing the nut. The airplane had been flown 6 or 7 times before the accident flight and it is likely that the nut backed off during that time. The accident is consistent with a loss of elevator control due to the pilot's failure to properly secure the control stick to the elevator bracket.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.