Primary finding
Probable cause
Failure of maintenance personnel to properly reinstall a bolt and nut in the elevator control linkage, which resulted in a disconnect of the linkage and loss of elevator control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The aircraft had just been repaired after receiving tornado damage. This repair included removal and replacement of the elevator control tube. The pilot taxied to the runway for the purpose of a test flight. All flight control checks appeared normal. After lift-off, the pilot intended to level off at 5 to 10 feet, then touch down again. However, after the airplane became airborne, he lost elevator control, and the aircraft climbed steeply to 50 to 75 feet. The pilot then reduced power, the aircraft's nose dropped, and the aircraft descended. With no elevator control, the pilot was unable to arrest the descent, and the aircraft impacted the ground. A post-crash examination revealed that a bolt and nut were missing from the elevator control linkage, which allowed the linkage to become disconnected.
Source record
Factual narrative
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