Summary
On June 19, 2004, a Bracken CB540 (N5439N) was involved in an accident near Lapeer, MI. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's loss of control due to an undetermined flight control system malfunction. Contributing factors to the accident were the wires and trees.
On June 19, 2004, at 1230 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Bracken CB540 (Berkut 540 variant), N5439N, built and operated by a private pilot, was destroyed during an in-flight collision with wires, trees and terrain following a loss of control during final approach to runway 36 (3,605 feet by 50 feet, asphalt), at the Dupont-Lapeer Airport (D95), near Lapeer, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was seriously injured. The flight departed Detroit City Airport (DET) at an unconfirmed time.
The pilot reported that the airplane had a "strong desire to turn left" during the flight to D95.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CHI04CA159. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N5439N.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's loss of control due to an undetermined flight control system malfunction. Contributing factors to the accident were the wires and trees.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 19, 2004, at 1230 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Bracken CB540 (Berkut 540 variant), N5439N, built and operated by a private pilot, was destroyed during an in-flight collision with wires, trees and terrain following a loss of control during final approach to runway 36 (3,605 feet by 50 feet, asphalt), at the Dupont-Lapeer Airport (D95), near Lapeer, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was seriously injured. The flight departed Detroit City Airport (DET) at an unconfirmed time.
The pilot reported that the airplane had a "strong desire to turn left" during the flight to D95. The pilot stated he monitored the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) for D95 and he "lost control short of landing."
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-site examination of the airplane. The inspector stated that the airplane impacted wires prior to colliding with trees and terrain. The inspector reported that flight control continuity could not be established due to the extent of damage incurred during the impact. The forward portion of the fuselage, including the canard, elevators and flight control mixing-unit, was extensively damaged. The source of the flight control malfunction could not be determined.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI04CA159