Improper Elevator Cable Installation Causes Carbon Cub Crash (N257ST)

[Neal]

I try to keep up with what's going on in my Type but I don't remember this one:

Improper Elevator Cable Installation Causes Carbon Cub Crash

Probable Cause: 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.

generalaviationnews.com

 

[Cactus Charlie]

The cable that remained attached (lower circle) appears to be secured by a clevis pin that has no cotter pin installed. The photo resolution is not good enough, even in the docket, for me to be certain.

The proper installation is a clevis bolt (not clevis pin), washer, castle nut, and cotter pin.

Neither a clevis pin nor a clevis bolt would have fallen out in the cotter pin had been installed.

The trim spring remains attached and is still driven by the stabilizer yoke when the elevator cables are disconnected. It's surprising to me that the aircraft could not be controlled with the pitch up cable disconnected. It would be interesting to know how the trim was set for that takeoff. I set trim so I need close to zero stick force on the initial climb. I trim again at flap retraction.

 

[Neal]

And this is why I have BRS. I will never have confidence in this plane like I did with those I flew in the Air Force, much less ones I'm responsible to maintain. And that spinning thing on the front I will never trust either.