Primary finding
Probable cause
A separation of the rudder cable from the rudder pedal due to the connecting bolt detaching for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, as the airplane became airborne, he heard an “audible pop” and immediately felt slack in the left rudder pedal. The airplane banked to the right, unable to recover from the right turn, he decreased power and added right rudder. Subsequently, he continued in the forced bank to the right and maneuvered the airplane for an emergency off-airport landing. During the emergency landing the tail was dragged sideways, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator. A postaccident examination revealed that the forward attachment point of the rudder cable that connects to the rudder pedal came unfastened. The pilot reported that the connecting bolt was recovered but that the nut and cotter pin were not located. Based on the available evidence it was undetermined why the nut disconnected from the bolt.