Titan TORNADO I accident near Spanaway, Washington, April 13, 2017
On April 13, 2017 at about 4:40 pm local time, a 2006 Titan TORNADO I, registered N5131H, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Spanaway, Washington (Spanaway 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
Maintenance personnel’s improper attachment of the aileron system components, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain flight control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 13, 2017 · about 4:40 pm local time
- Place
- Spanaway, Washington · Spanaway · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Titan TORNADO I NO SERIES, built 2006
- Registration
- N5131H · registry record · serial T95XXXCOHK0177
- 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 after departure for the personal flight, the airplane climbed to about 200 ft above ground level but he could not maintain level flight; he had to apply full right aileron and right rudder. The airplane rolled left, and he simultaneously reduced the engine power and applied forward elevator in an attempt to arrest the roll. Despite his attempts, the pilot could not regain control of the airplane and deployed the ballistic recovery system parachute (BRS). The airplane touched down hard off the airport, and the nose landing gear collapsed. As a result of the impact, the pilot was unable to egress under his own power; the engine continued to run, and the BRS drifted into the propeller. The engine continued to operate until the BRS suspension lines stopped the propeller. The examination of the aileron system revealed that the control tube was disconnected from the control mixer weldment. The stop nut that normally is affixed to the bolt connecting the aileron control tube to the control yoke tube was found on the cabin floor. The bolt end had a hole for a cotter pin, but no cotter pin was located. There were no markings on the nylon insert of the stop nut, which is consistent with the nut not being adequately attached during assembly. During the last condition inspection, about 4 months and 24 flight hours before the accident, an airframe and powerplant mechanic had adjusted the aileron control mixer. It is likely that during that maintenance activity, the nylon hardware was not properly attached to the aileron control tube.
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
What happened, in order
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Flight control sys malf/fail during takeoff defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Aileron control system › Inadequate inspection
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,409 hours in all; 24 in this make and model; 1,224 as pilot in command; 1,087 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 4, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 224 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, December 15, 2016; 24 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 850 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 501 (piston); 224 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S44 Spanaway WA at 4:35 pm
- Destination: S50 Auburn WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 7,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.77 inHg
- Observation at 4:58 pm from KTCM, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on January 16, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Provided Witness Statements | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Examination Field Notes | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.