The airplane sustained an in-flight loss of the right elevator at about 1030 Pacific time while maneuvering off the coast of San Diego. The Airline Transport certificated pilot, the Commercial co-pilot and one passenger were not injured, but the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed for the local public-use flight. After takeoff, the airplane joined up with another airplane, and was performing a cross-under maneuver. The pilot lost sight of the other airplane due to glare and turned away. When the pilot reacquired his visual acuity, the airplane was in a 70-degree right bank and 50 degrees nose-low. After the airplane returned to base, a post-flight examination revealed the right elevator was gone and the left elevator was permanently deformed.
December 1, 2006, San Diego, Calif. / Learjet 36
The airplane sustained an in-flight loss of the right elevator at about 1030 Pacific time while maneuvering off the coast of San Diego. The Airline Transport certificated pilot, the Commercial co-pilot and one passenger were not injured, but the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed for the local public-use flight.
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane experienced an in-flight loss of its right elevator and substantial damage while maneuvering off the coast of San Diego.
- The pilot, co-pilot, and one passenger onboard were not injured despite the severe damage.
- The incident occurred during a cross-under maneuver when the pilot momentarily lost sight of another airplane due to glare, resulting in the aircraft entering an extreme bank and nose-low attitude.
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