Plane Crash List

Jones LIGHTNING BUG 2 N200NJ

13 May 1993 · Walterboro, South Carolina, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 13 May 1993 at about 14:00 local time, a Jones LIGHTNING BUG 2 registered N200NJ, operated by Jones, Howell C. JR., was involved in an accident near Walterboro, South Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 14:00
Classification
Accident
Location
Walterboro, South Carolina, United States
Coordinates
32.8991, -80.6698
Aircraft
Jones LIGHTNING BUG 2
Registration
N200NJ
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
Jones, Howell C. JR.
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Unknown
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Aircraft damage
Destroyed
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
ATL93LA092

People

1 person had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 1 0

Probable cause

THE DISCONNECTION OF AN ELEVATOR ROD END FITTING IN FLIGHT, WHICH DISABLED THE ELEVATOR

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT TO EVALUATE A NEW PROPELLER INSTALLATION. THE AIRFRAME TOTAL TIME WAS ABOUT 7 HOURS. THE PILOT WAS THE DESIGNER AND BUILDER OF THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT. DURING THE FLIGHT, HE REPORTED A LOSS OF ELEVATOR AUTHORITY. HE BAILED OUT OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO A WOODED, SWAMPY AREA. AN EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT A ROD END FITTING HAD DISCONNECTED, RENDERING THE ELEVATOR INEFFECTIVE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WOULD CHANGE THE DESIGN OF THE FITTINGS TO INCORPORATE COTTER PINS FOR ADDED SECURITY ON FUTURE AIRCRAFT

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
27 Jul 1993 McDonnell Douglas MD-88
N948DL
Charleston, South Carolina, United States - No injuries -
18 Apr 1993 Myers AVID AIRCRAFT FLYER
N31187
Winnsboro, South Carolina, United States - No injuries -
6 May 1993 Extra 300
N694DM
Ridge Springs, South Carolina, United States Rutland, GUY E. Serious injuries -
9 May 1993 Rapp VAN'S RV-4
N743DR
Greenwood, South Carolina, United States Rapp, Russell D. No injuries -
5 Jun 1993 Cessna 172F
N8279U
Ravenel, South Carolina, United States Hall, William J. Minor injuries -
6 Jun 1993 Cessna 172D
N50000
Ridgeland, South Carolina, United States McCoy, T. REE JR. Serious injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States