Primary finding
Probable cause
A loss of control due to a foreign object jamming the elevator flight controls.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was performing aerobatic maneuvers to provide an opinion of the airplane to the owner. FAA records indicate that the pilot was certified for aerobatic maneuvers to the surface. The pilot had over 300 hours of flight experience in the pitts. After several aerobatic maneuvers, the pilot was unable to counter a nose-up attitude and the airplane stalled and entered a spin. He was able to stop the spin rotation, but was unable to control the airplane pitch prior to impacting the ground. A c-clamp was found in the aft fuselage, near the elevator controls. The clamp was bent, gouged, and had marks where the paint had been removed. An elevator control rod was fractured.
Source record
Factual narrative
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