Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The failure of the aileron control rod, and subsequent loss of control in-flight.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On September 27, 2003, at 0945 eastern daylight time, an unregistered Freebird airplane, operated by a student pilot, collided with the runway during takeoff from Newnan Coweta County Airport, Newnan, Georgia. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The student pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The flight departed Newnan Coweta County Airport, Georgia on September 27, 2003 at 0940.
According to the pilot, during climb-out from runway 14, the airplane began a slow uncommanded right turn. The pilot attempted to make a correction but the flight controls did not respond. The pilot reduced power and the airplane turned hard to the right and collided with the ground.
Examination of the airplane revealed the nose of the airplane separated from the airframe and the right wing was buckled. Examination of the flight controls revealed the aileron control rod was broken at the stick, and the part had a total time of 39 hours before failure. No other mechanical anomalies reported by the pilot.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ATL03LA150