# NTSB CEN11LA588: Hendryx Steve/Wiley Ross Super Rebel, N540AF, La Porte City, IA, August 21, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 2011, 15:14 local (20:14 UTC) - Place: La Porte City, IA - Coordinates: 42.316387, -92.283332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3164&lon=-92.2833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81578 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA588 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81578/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81578 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA588 ## Probable cause The improper assembly of the aileron cable by the airplane builder. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: aileron control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022710): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Hendryx Steve/Wiley Ross MURPHYACFTSUPERREBEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022710/cases.md?model=05628ZO), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022710/cases.md) - [Flight control system: aileron control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022710): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Hendryx Steve/Wiley Ross MURPHYACFTSUPERREBEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022710/cases.md?model=05628ZO), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022710/cases.md) - [Maintenance: fabrication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Hendryx Steve/Wiley Ross MURPHYACFTSUPERREBEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062025/cases.md?model=05628ZO), [All aircraft, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Hendryx Steve/Wiley Ross MURPHYACFTSUPERREBEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=05628ZO), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hendryx Steve/Wiley Ross MURPHYACFTSUPERREBEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05628ZO), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N540AF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N540AF-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 010SR, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HENDRYX STEVE/WILEY ROSS SUPER REBEL - Registry model: [Hendryx Steve/Wiley Ross MURPHYACFTSUPERREBEL](https://openairdocs.org/model/hendryx-steve-wiley-ross-murphyacftsuperrebel) (registry code 05628ZO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-T4B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-t4b5) (registry code 41804, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 010SR - Airframe hours: 2 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-T4B5 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Steven B Hendryx - Registered owner: Steven B Hendryx - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 22, 2010 - Departed: 6C8, La Porte City, IA - Destination: 6C8, La Porte City, IA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 27, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,426 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,406 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110821020569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110821020569A), Aug 21, 2011: Hendryx Steve/Wiley Ross MURPHYACFTSUPERREBEL, La Porte City, IA, Substantial damage. The airman was conducting his third test flight in this aircraft. He reports being in the air for 20 minutes, at approximately 1,000 ft AGL, conducting turns.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 16, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81578. 540 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 491 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354030&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354031&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.