Accident Details
On November 16, 2019, at about 1510 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-18 airplane, registration N8589D, sustained substantial damage in an accident near Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), Livermore, California. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a banner tow operation.
The pilot reported completing a preflight inspection, including verifying the movement and stability of the flight controls. He then departed runway 07 and completed one circuit in the left traffic pattern to return for a banner pickup. After receiving clearance from the tower controller, the pilot approached the runway and successfully made contact with the banner. As he pulled the flight control stick back to gain altitude, the control stick separated from the stick stub assembly at the floor. The airplane descended uncontrollably and impacted the ground shortly thereafter, coming to rest in a grass field about 150 feet from the initial impact point.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the hardware securing the control stick to the stick hub assembly was installed on the control stick but was not threaded through the mounting holes on the stick hub assembly. The stick hub exhibited signs of rubbing and wear near the bolt holes.
Maintenance History
According to the airplane's maintenance logbooks, the last inspection was performed on March 17, 2019, after which the airplane was returned to service. No maintenance entries indicated removal or installation of the control stick.