GLENNALLEN, AK, USA
N2826M
PIPER PA-12
WITNESSES REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT FLEW BY A CABIN AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FT, SIGNALED BY ROCKING THE ACFT'S WINGS, THEN BEGAN A GRADUAL CLIMB. THE CLIMB INCREASED IN STEEPNESS UNTIL 1 WITNESS COULD SEE THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE ACFT. IT THEN NOSED OVER, MADE 1 1/2 TO 2 1/2 TURNS & CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO SPECIFIC PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. HOWEVER, AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ACFT HAD RECEIVED 3 MAJOR MODIFICATIONS, 2 OF WHICH WERE UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATES (STC'S). A MODIFIED ELEVATOR BELLCRANK HAD BEEN INSTALLED, BUT THERE WAS NO FLOOR OR PROTECTIVE COVERING INSTALLED OVER THE BELLCRANK. ONLY A CANVAS BARRIER PROTECTED THE BELLCRANK FROM ITEMS PLACED IN THE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT. THE EDGES OF THE CANVAS DID NOT EXTEND TO THE SIDES, TOP & BOTTOM OF THE FUSELAGE, BUT INSTEAD, THERE WAS A 2 TO 3 INCH CAP, LACED WITHE STRING TO HOLD THE CANVAS SECURE. A WHISK BROOM WAS FOUND IN THE PROXIMITY OF THE ELEVATOR BELLCRANK.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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