thought this was an interesting read...
http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=20130904X05544&key=1
On August 31, 2013, about 1345 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28RT-201, N2091W, experienced a pitch control failure during takeoff at Hampton Roads Executive Airport (PVG), Chesapeake, Virginia. The airplane was undamaged and the two pilots were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which was operated under the provisions of Title14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to the pilots, the purpose of the flight was to familiarize themselves with the airplane. During takeoff, as they increased the angle of attack to become airborne, they heard a loud pop and lost pitch control. The airplane became airborne momentarily and then touched down on the runway in a three point attitude. Neither of the pilots was injured, and the airplane was undamaged.
Examination of the airplane revealed that the aft lower stabilator flight control cables turnbuckle assembly had broken at the aft cable terminal fitting. Further examination of the turnbuckle and aft cable terminal fitting revealed the presence of corrosion on both the turnbuckle and the aft cable terminal fitting, and a jagged fracture that was rough and granulated in appearance, on the end of the aft cable terminal fitting near where it threaded into the end of the turnbuckle.
According to one of the pilots, the airplane had been recently purchased and was going to be placed in a local operators fleet for rental and use in their pilot training program. As part of the purchase it had recently undergone an annual inspection.
Review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records revealed that the turnbuckle assembly was the subject of a recent airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-02-13 which was prompted by reports of cable assembly failures that may lead to failure of the horizontal stabilator control system and could result in loss of pitch control. This AD required inspection of the stabilator control system and replacement of parts as necessary.
According to FAA and airplane maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 1979. The airplanes most recent annual inspection was completed on July 21, 2013. At the time of the inspection, the airplane had accrued 6,100.3 total hours of operation.
The turnbuckle assembly was retained by the NTSB for further examination.
http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=20130904X05544&key=1
On August 31, 2013, about 1345 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28RT-201, N2091W, experienced a pitch control failure during takeoff at Hampton Roads Executive Airport (PVG), Chesapeake, Virginia. The airplane was undamaged and the two pilots were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which was operated under the provisions of Title14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to the pilots, the purpose of the flight was to familiarize themselves with the airplane. During takeoff, as they increased the angle of attack to become airborne, they heard a loud pop and lost pitch control. The airplane became airborne momentarily and then touched down on the runway in a three point attitude. Neither of the pilots was injured, and the airplane was undamaged.
Examination of the airplane revealed that the aft lower stabilator flight control cables turnbuckle assembly had broken at the aft cable terminal fitting. Further examination of the turnbuckle and aft cable terminal fitting revealed the presence of corrosion on both the turnbuckle and the aft cable terminal fitting, and a jagged fracture that was rough and granulated in appearance, on the end of the aft cable terminal fitting near where it threaded into the end of the turnbuckle.
According to one of the pilots, the airplane had been recently purchased and was going to be placed in a local operators fleet for rental and use in their pilot training program. As part of the purchase it had recently undergone an annual inspection.
Review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records revealed that the turnbuckle assembly was the subject of a recent airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-02-13 which was prompted by reports of cable assembly failures that may lead to failure of the horizontal stabilator control system and could result in loss of pitch control. This AD required inspection of the stabilator control system and replacement of parts as necessary.
According to FAA and airplane maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 1979. The airplanes most recent annual inspection was completed on July 21, 2013. At the time of the inspection, the airplane had accrued 6,100.3 total hours of operation.
The turnbuckle assembly was retained by the NTSB for further examination.
