Higher Class Aviation Super Hornet accident near Chandler, Arizona, December 10, 2006
On December 10, 2006 at about 4:52 pm local time, a Higher Class Aviation Super Hornet, registered N45YB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chandler, Arizona (Williams Afb airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 10, 2006 · about 4:52 pm local time
- Place
- Chandler, Arizona · Williams Afb · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Higher Class Aviation Super Hornet
- Registration
- N45YB · no longer on the register · serial 060
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that since taking delivery of the airplane, he had been having difficulty flying in a level attitude without applying left stick and left rudder. He contacted the factory and was advised as to what adjustments needed to be made to correct the airplane's out-of-trim condition. According to the manufacturer, those adjustments needed to be completed by an A&P certificated mechanic. During an interview with a Safety Board investigator, the pilot stated that he was not an A & P certificated mechanic, but he made the adjustments to the trim himself. On the day of the accident, after takeoff, the airplane banked and yawed to the right. When the pilot input left stick and left rudder to correct to a level flight attitude, there was no response from the airplane. The airplane continued to make a complete right-hand circle before the pilot was able to make an off airport landing where it struck a berm. Two separate examinations of the wreckage were conducted and investigators found that the airplane had been trimmed to fly to the left. No other mechanical abnormalities were found.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 342 hours in all; 15 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 279 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 18 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2006; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CHD Chandler AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22R, 4,401 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 4:47 pm from CHD, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.