The pilot recalled doing a flight control check before the flight, during which he found the controls operated normally.
During the initial climb from the airport in Ogallala, Nebraska, when the CubCrafters Carbon Cub was about 30 to 50 feet above ground level, the elevator control went slack.
When he could not regain elevator control, he adjusted engine power in an attempt to regain control of the airplane’s pitch, however the plane descended and hit the runway surface. It skidded off the runway and a post-impact fire ensued.
The pilot, who sustained minor injuries in the crash, was able to get out of the airplane before it was destroyed by the fire.
A post-accident examination of the airplane found that the top elevator control cable was not attached to the elevator horn. 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.
After the airplane was originally assembled in 2021, it was inspected by an FAA 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.
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.
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This October 2024 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
So, this low time pilot forgot that there is electric elevator trim, no depending on the control cables ?
It should have enough authority to set a safe landing airspeed…
But the aircraft crashed and burned….sad !!