Accident Overview
On May 1, 2016, at about 1130 central daylight time, a Cessna 150F, registration N8619G, experienced a loss of pitch control during the landing flare and subsequently impacted runway 35 at Ponca City Regional Airport, Ponca City, Oklahoma. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot sustained serious injuries, while the passenger was uninjured. The flight was operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight, not on a flight plan, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported performing a full preflight inspection before departing for a pleasure flight. The flight returned without incident for an approach to landing. During the landing flare on runway 35, at about 1–2 feet above the runway, the airplane "shot up drastically." It climbed approximately 10–20 feet. The pilot then gently applied forward control pressure on the control yoke, and the airplane "instantly" pitched down and impacted the runway. While waiting for an ambulance, the pilot observed that the left elevator was separated from the horizontal stabilizer.
Maintenance History
An airplane maintenance record entry dated November 9, 2015, indicated that an annual inspection had been performed and that the bearing in the elevator bearing crank assembly was "reset" by an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization. After the annual inspection, the airplane accumulated about 25 hours of flight time.
Post-Accident Examination
Post-accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that a bolt linking the left elevator to the control system was missing; the bolt was found inside the left elevator tip. The inspector reported that there was an improper reinstallation of the elevator, which resulted in it coming loose.