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August 5, 2016 · Piper PA 25-235 Undesignat · N6542Z

Miller, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Miller, MO
Aircraft
Piper PA 25-235 Undesignat (1962)
Tail Number
N6542Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN16LA332

The commercial pilot departed on the first test flight of the newly-restored airplane. Ten minutes after takeoff, the left aileron cable separated from the control stick. The pilot returned to the airport, but the airplane became harder to control as it slowed. The airplane's right wing contacted a corn field, and the airplane impacted terrain about 300 ft short of the runway. Postaccident examination found that the left aileron swage fitting was improperly secured, which resulted in the separation of the aileron cable. The control cable had been re-rigged during restoration.

NTSB Probable Cause

The mechanic's improper installation of the left aileron swage fitting, which resulted in an inflight loss of control.

Full Narrative

On August 5, 2016, about 1800 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 airplane, N6542Z, impacted terrain near Kingsley Airfield (MO9), Miller, Missouri. The commercial rated pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan.According to a statement provided to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by the pilot, he was test-flying N6542Z that had just been through "a complete restoration." After takeoff, about 10 minutes into the flight, the left aileron cable separated from the control stick. The pilot added that he was able to turn the airplane back towards the runway. As the airplane slowed, it become more and more difficult to control the airplane. The right wing then impacted a corn field about 300 ft from the runway. An examination of the airplane by FAA inspectors found that the swage fitting on the aileron control cable was improperly swaged, allowing the aileron to come loose from a control turnbuckle. The aileron cable was replaced and rigged during major maintenance and the airplane completed its annual inspection on February 9, 2016. The accident flight was the first flight since that restoration/annual inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CDT
Nearest AirportKingsley Airfield (0nm NNW)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 25-235 Undesignat
Tail NumberN6542Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 SERIES · Reciprocating · 250
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time22:50

Appendix: Source Data