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August 21, 2011 · Hendryx Steve/Wiley Ross Super Rebel · N540AF

La Porte City, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
La Porte City, IA
Aircraft
Hendryx Steve/Wiley Ross Super Rebel
Tail Number
N540AF
Operator
Steven B Hendryx
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11LA588

The accident flight was the third flight into the Phase 1 flight test program. While maneuvering the airplane at 2,500 feet above ground level through a series of turns, the pilot noticed the control stick force increase, and then he heard a bang. Following the bang, the pilot had no aileron control authority. The pilot maintained some control through rudder inputs and executed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination revealed one of the aileron cable swages failed due to an improper crimp by the airplane builder.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Flight control system-Aileron control system-Incorrect service/maintenance - C

Full Narrative

On August 21, 2011, at 1514 central daylight time, a Hendryx/Wiley Super Rebel experimental amateur-built single-engine airplane, N540AF, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following an in-flight failure of the aileron cable near La Porte City, Iowa. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant and registered owner, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed the Nichols Airport, La Porte City, Iowa, approximately 1425. According to the pilot, the accident flight was the third flight into the Phase 1 flight test program. While maneuvering the airplane at 2,500 feet above ground level through a series of turns, the pilot noticed the control stick force increase, and then he heard a bang. Following the bang sound, the pilot had no aileron control authority. The pilot maintained some control via rudder inputs and executed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the firewall and fuselage were buckled. One of the aileron cable swages failed, which resulted in the loss of aileron authority. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane, the cable swage failed due to an improper crimp. The cable was manufactured by the builder during the airplane build process.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:14 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHendryx Steve/Wiley Ross Super Rebel
Tail NumberN540AF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSteven B Hendryx
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-T4B5 · Reciprocating · 240
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data