Alexander Thomas P SPORTSMAN GS-2 accident near El Dorado HIlls, CA
On April 18, 2009, an Alexander Thomas P SPORTSMAN GS-2 (airplane) was involved in an accident near El Dorado HIlls, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 18, 2009
- Place
- El Dorado HIlls, CA
- Aircraft
- Alexander Thomas P SPORTSMAN GS-2 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.667°N, 121.050°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090419X94941
Official records · WPR09LA202
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 17, 2009, about 1710 Pacific daylight time, an amateur built Alexander Sportsman GS-2, experimental airplane, N209TP, was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing near El Dorado Hills, California. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The local flight originated from the Rancho Murieta Airport, Rancho Murieta, California, about 1618. A witness reported that while taxiing his airplane at RIU and monitoring the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) of 122.8 megahertz, he heard a radio transmission stating, "MAYDAY MAYDAY, I'm going down into the brush.... I've lost elevator control." The witness stated that he continued to monitor the frequency, but did not hear any further radio calls. A second witness, who was flying near Placerville, California, reported that while monitoring 122.8 megahertz, he heard someone transmit "Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!, (unintelligible call sign numbers) No elevator no elevator, I'm going down, I'm going down, no elevator, I'm going down, I'm going down in some trees!" A witness located adjacent to the accident site reported that while in their driveway, he noticed an airplane flying lower than usual and did not make any unusual sounds. The witness stated that the airplane appeared to be flying upright as it hit trees near his position. He added tha
Probable cause
The in-flight separation of the elevator control torque tube rod end bearing from the elevator torque tube as a result of incorrectly tightened rod end bearing lock nuts.
More accidents in CA
- Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, Aug 31, 1986
- British Aerospace BAE-146-200, Dec 8, 1987
- Beech C-99, Aug 24, 1984
- Sikorsky S-61N, Aug 6, 2008
Browse: California
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
