# NTSB CEN25LA029: Cub Crafters Carbon CUB, N257ST, Ogallala, NE, October 27, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 27, 2024, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Ogallala, NE
- Coordinates: 41.117766, -101.78161 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1178&lon=-101.7816&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 195380
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195380/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195380
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA029

## 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.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Flight control system: elevator control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Related maintenance info (probable cause); cases with it: [Rocky Mountain Stol CCK-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730/cases.md?model=056394N), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730/cases.md)
- [Inspection: scheduled/routine inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder; cases with it: [Rocky Mountain Stol CCK-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md?model=056394N), [All aircraft, 167 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md)
- [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Rocky Mountain Stol CCK-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=056394N), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Rocky Mountain Stol CCK-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=056394N), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rocky Mountain Stol CCK-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056394N), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he performed a flight control check before departing in his experimental, amateur-built airplane, and that the flight controls operated normally. During the initial climb, about 30 to 50 ft above ground level, the elevator control went slack. He could not regain elevator control and adjusted engine power in an attempt to regain control of the airplane’s pitch; however, the airplane descended and impacted the runway surface. The airplane skidded off the runway, the pilot egressed, and the airplane was destroyed by postimpact fire. A postaccident examination of the airplane found that the top elevator control cable was not attached to the elevator horn. The securing bolt, nut, and cotter pin were not located. The lower elevator control cable remained attached via its bolt, but the securing nut and cotter pin were not located. A review of maintenance information about the airplane revealed that the airplane was originally assembled about three years before the accident, and had undergone several condition inspections, including one by a 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, and would have included inspection of all flight control surfaces. There was no logbook record of any recent maintenance to the elevator, nor did the pilot recall any. Based on the available information, it is likely that the elevator control cable was improperly secured during maintenance; however, when the maintenance occurred could not be determined.

## Factual narrative

On October 27, 2024, about 1215 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built CCK-2000 airplane, N257ST, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ogallala, Nebraska. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot recalled doing a flight control check before the flight, during which he found the controls operated normally. During the initial climb, when the airplane was about 30 to 50 ft above ground level, the elevator control went slack. He could not regain elevator control and adjusted engine power in an attempt to regain control of the airplane’s pitch; however, the airplane descended and impacted the runway surface. The airplane skidded off the runway and a postimpact fire ensued. The pilot egressed, and the airplane was destroyed by the postimpact fire. A postaccident examination of the airplane found that top elevator control cable was not attached to the elevator horn (see figure 1). 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. Figure 1. Elevator Control Connections (FAA Photo) After the airplane was originally assembled in 2021, it was inspected by a Federal Aviation Administration 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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N257ST](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N257ST-2024-12-18), registration cancelled 2024-12-18, S/N CCK-2000-0059, built 2021 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CUB CRAFTERS CARBON CUB (EX3)
- Registry model: [Rocky Mountain Stol CCK-2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/rocky-mountain-stol-cck-2000) (registry code 056394N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming YIO-360 EXP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-yio-360-exp) (registry code 41710, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CCK-2000-0059
- Year built: 2021
- Airframe hours: 226
- Engines: Carbon Cub CC363i 186 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rocky Mountain Stol LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, January 1, 2024, 59 hours before
- Destination: KAPA, Englewood, CO
- Airport: OGA, Searle Fld, runway 26, 5,102 × 75 ft, concrete
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 24, 2023; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 360 total, 30 in this make and model, 303 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KOGA, 1 nm away
- METAR: KOGA 271715Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 17/01 A3012 RMK AO2 T01700012

## 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 20241027016999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241027016999A), Oct 27, 2024: Rocky Mountain Stol LLC CCK-2000, Ogallala, NE, Substantial damage. On takeoff rotation the pilot lost elevator control of the plane causing it to impact the runway. The gear collapsed and the plane skidded off the runway…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 1, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195380. 7.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18232615&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20-%206120_1_Form%20-%20N257ST%20vff_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 866 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18234935&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%202%20CEN25LA029-Rel.pdf
- Maintenance documents (item 3, PDF, 12 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18234925&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N257ST%20MX%20Docs_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Roc pilot (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18234952&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20Fasano-Rel.pdf
- Roc FAA (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18235314&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20FAA-Rel.pdf
- Wreckage release (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18499703&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N257ST%20Wreckage%20Release-%20signed_Redacted-Rel.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.

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