Pilot Debrief

GARY JAMES LAIL ZENITH CH 750 CRUZER near Blossom, TX — 2021-07-17

Final reportCEN21LA326
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Date
2021-07-17
Location
Blossom, TX, USA
Aircraft
GARY JAMES LAIL ZENITH CH 750 CRUZER
Registration
N9667Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The improper swaging of the rudder control cable, which disconnected during flight and resulted in the loss of control.

NTSB narrative

Immediately after takeoff, the experimental airplane experienced a rudder control malfunction, and the pilot landed back on the runway. The pilot was unable to maintain control, and the airplane departed the runway. During the runway excursion, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. A postaccident examination of the flight controls revealed that the control cable that should have been connected to the pilot’s left rudder pedal was separated at the point where it had been swaged to the end fitting. The other flight control cables were swaged in a similar manner, and all were done improperly according to the airplane kit manufacturer. There were no other anomalies noted with the airplane. The airplane was built about 3 years before the accident, and the airplane maintenance logbooks did not show any entries related to the rudder cables. Therefore, it is likely that the cables were improperly swaged during the original build of the airplane, and the error was not discovered during subsequent condition inspections.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Proper inspection of rudder control cables before flight could have prevented the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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