4 fatal · HASTINGS THOMAS G CIRRUS VK 30 · 2018-02-11 · AGUA DULCE, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
WPR18FA088
Event ID
20180211X53503
Type
Accident
Date
2018-02-11
Location
AGUA DULCE, CA, USA
Coordinates
34.463333, -118.303611
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
4
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
4
Aircraft
Make
HASTINGS THOMAS G
Model
CIRRUS VK 30
Registration
N52TH
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The driveshaft fracture due to overstress loading and rotational bending as a result of the under-torqued nuts on the elastomeric couplings backing off and the subsequent in-flight separation of the horizontal fairing due to contact with the separated end of the driveshaft, which led to a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance.