Bobo Christopher J LOEHLE 5151 N838B

Summary

On 17 October 2010 at about 18:35 local time, a Bobo Christopher J LOEHLE 5151 registered N838B, operated by COX Keith A, was involved in an accident near Southern Pines, North Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 October 2010 at 18:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Southern Pines, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

35.1761, -79.4233

Aircraft

Bobo Christopher J LOEHLE 5151

Registration

N838B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

COX Keith A

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Carthage → Maxton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA11LA023

1 person was seriously injured.

The reported fluttering of the wings in flight and the pilot's subsequent in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The accident pilot was flying in formation with another pilot, en route to a private airstrip. About 10 minutes after departure, the accident pilot reported on the common traffic advisory frequency that his wings were fluttering and that he was losing control of the airplane. The other pilot told him to reduce the power and try to land on the road below. He then observed the accident airplane in a slow, banking turn, appearing to line up for a landing on the road. The accident pilot announced that he was unable to maintain control of the airplane, and witnesses observed the ailerons fluttering before the airplane appeared to stall and descend vertically to the ground. The airplane, constructed of wood and fabric, shattered into multiple wood fragments upon impact; however, examination of the fracture surfaces and structure of the wings revealed damage consistent with both wings and ailerons being attached to the airframe at the time of impact. Additionally, flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to the aileron flight controls. The most recent recorded maintenance performed on the airplane was its Phase 1 condition inspection completed about 3 weeks prior to the accident. During this inspection, the flight controls were inspected and lubricated. Due to the severe impact damage, the source of the wing flutter and control problem reported by the pilot was not identified.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.