Narrative:
The Bushmaster, a Ford Tri-Motor replica plane, took part in an air show during the Fullerton Airport Appreciation Day. As it was attempting to takeoff, it departed runway 24. The pilot pulled up to avoid ramp personnel. It just missed the control tower and slammed onto a street, sideswiping a car. The plane broke apart on impact and erupted in flames. A photograph of the airplane clearly showed a strap connecting the left elevator to the rudder.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The inadequate preflight inspection by the pilot-in-command, where the pilot failed to remove the makeshift gust lock attached to the rudder and left elevator of the airplane. As a result, the airplane veered off the runway surface during the takeoff roll, became airborne, and immediately began an uncontrolled descending left roll until impacting vehicles and the ground."
Loss of control
accident date: 25-09-2004
type: Bushmaster 2000
registration: N750RW
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Saturday 25 September 2004 |
| Time: | 15:23 |
| Type: | Bushmaster 2000 |
| Operator: | R.R. Fuchs |
| Registration: | N750RW |
| MSN: | 2 |
| First flight: | 1985 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1420 |
| Engines: | 3 Pratt & Whitney R-985 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | near Fullerton Municipal Airport, CA (FUL) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Takeoff (TOF) |
| Nature: | Demonstration |
| Departure airport: | Fullerton Municipal Airport, CA (FUL/KFUL), United States of America |
| Fullerton Municipal Airport, CA (FUL/KFUL), United States of America |
The Bushmaster, a Ford Tri-Motor replica plane, took part in an air show during the Fullerton Airport Appreciation Day. As it was attempting to takeoff, it departed runway 24. The pilot pulled up to avoid ramp personnel. It just missed the control tower and slammed onto a street, sideswiping a car. The plane broke apart on impact and erupted in flames. A photograph of the airplane clearly showed a strap connecting the left elevator to the rudder.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The inadequate preflight inspection by the pilot-in-command, where the pilot failed to remove the makeshift gust lock attached to the rudder and left elevator of the airplane. As a result, the airplane veered off the runway surface during the takeoff roll, became airborne, and immediately began an uncontrolled descending left roll until impacting vehicles and the ground."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Elevator issueLoss of control
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
accident date: 25-09-2004
type: Bushmaster 2000
registration: N750RW
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This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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