CEN25LA029

The improper installation of the elevator control cable hardware, which resulted in the separation of the elevator control cable and a loss of pitch control in flight.

The pilot reported that he performed a flight control check before departing in his experimental, amateur-built airplane, and that the flight controls operated normally. During the initial climb, about 30 to 50 ft above ground level, the elevator control went slack. He could not regain elevator control and adjusted engine power in an attempt to regain control of the airplane’s pitch; however, the airplane descended and impacted the runway surface. The airplane skidded off the runway, the pilot egressed, and the airplane was destroyed by postimpact fire. A postaccident examination of the airplane found that the top elevator control cable was not attached to the elevator horn. The securing bolt, nut, and cotter pin were not located. The lower elevator control cable remained attached via its bolt, but the securing nut and cotter pin were not located. A review of maintenance information about the airplane revealed that the airplane was originally assembled about three years before the accident, and had undergone several condition inspections, including one by a mechanic who was different than the owner/builder. The most recent condition inspection was performed by the owner/builder about nine months before the accident, and would have included inspection of all flight control surfaces. There was no logbook record of any recent maintenance to the elevator, nor did the pilot recall any. Based on the available information, it is likely that the elevator control cable was improperly secured during maintenance; however, when the maintenance occurred could not be determined.

On October 27, 2024, about 1215 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built CCK-2000 airplane, N257ST, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ogallala, Nebraska. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot recalled doing a flight control check before the flight, during which he found the controls operated normally. During the initial climb, when the airplane was about 30 to 50 ft above ground level, the elevator control went slack. He could not regain elevator control and adjusted engine power in an attempt to regain control of the airplane’s pitch; however, the airplane descended and impacted the runway surface. The airplane skidded off the runway and a postimpact fire ensued. The pilot egressed, and the airplane was destroyed by the postimpact fire. A postaccident examination of the airplane found that top elevator control cable was not attached to the elevator horn (see figure 1). The securing bolt and nut were not located. The lower elevator control cable remained attached via its bolt, but the securing nut was not located. Figure 1. Elevator Control Connections (FAA Photo) After the airplane was originally assembled in 2021, it was inspected by a Federal Aviation Administration Designated Airworthiness Representative, who would have checked the build. It had subsequently undergone several annual condition inspections, including one by an airframe & powerplant mechanic who was different than the owner/builder. The most recent condition inspection was performed by the owner/builder about nine months before the accident, which would have included inspection of all flight control surfaces. Review of the airplane’s maintenance logs did not reveal any maintenance related to the elevator, nor did the owner/builder recall any recent maintenance on the elevator.