# NTSB CHI96LA010: Crowley/Zenair Zodiac CH-600, N596WC, Columbia, MO, October 15, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 15, 1995, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Columbia, MO - Coordinates: 38.949882, -92.319335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9499&lon=-92.3193&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 6, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10133 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10133/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA010 ## Probable cause A LOSS OF ELEVATOR CONTROL AS A RESULT OF THE TOP ELEVATOR CONTROL CABLE WORKING ITS WAY OUT OF A FITTING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - flt control syst,elevator control cable/rod - disconnected (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS 'COMING IN TO LAND' AND HAD 'STARTED TO FLARE WHEN THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER,' APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET AGL AND OVER THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD NO ELEVATOR CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE TERRAIN AT THE BASE OF TREES JUST RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE SHOWED THE TOP ELEVATOR CONTROL CABLE HAD WORKED ITS WAY OUT OF THE NICOPRESS OVAL SLEEVE FITTING WHICH HOLDS THE CABLE IN PLACE AFTER RUNNING THROUGH THE TOP ELEVATOR ACTUATOR ARM. THE ELEVATOR WAS FOUND IN THE FULL DOWN POSITION. THE AIRPLANE'S LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED 11/14/94. THE AIRPLANE HAD LOGGED 10 HOURS SINCE THAT INSPECTION. ## Factual narrative On October 15, 1995, at 1350 central daylight time (cdt), a Zodiac CH-600, N596WC, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when the airplane impacted the terrain on final approach to a private airstrip near Columbia, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated from a privately-owned airport 10 miles north of Columbia, Missouri. The pilot reported that he was "coming in to land" and had "started to flare when the airplane nosed over." He was approximately 40 feet above ground level and over the approach end of the runway when this occurred. The pilot said he had no elevator control. Realizing he was "going to crash nose first," the pilot applied full right rudder in an attempt to bring the nose up prior to impacting the terrain. The airplane impacted the terrain at the base of some trees just to the right of the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage found the top elevator control cable had worked its way out of the nicopress oval sleeve fitting which holds the cable in place after running through the top elevator actuator arm. The elevator was found in the full down position. A review of the airplane's logbooks indicated the airplane's last annual inspection was performed November 14, 1994. The airplane had logged 10 hours since that inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N596WC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N596WC-2012-08-13), registration cancelled 2012-08-13, S/N 6-964, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CROWLEY/ZENAIR ZODIAC CH-600 (ZODIAC CH-) - Registry model: [Crowley Wayne ZODIAC CH-600](https://openairdocs.org/model/crowley-wayne-zodiac-ch-600) (registry code 05623RC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6-964 - Airframe hours: 50 - Engines: SUBARU EA-81-7L-95 95 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Earl Wayne Crowley - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1994, 10 hours before - Airport: Flying C, runway 4, 1,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 950 total, 15 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: COU, 15 nm away ## 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 19951015049119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951015049119A), Oct 15, 1995: Columbia, MO, Substantial damage. (-16) On October 15, 1005 at approximately 13:00 CDT, Mr. Earl crowley departed his private 1800' sod airstrip located 10 miles north of Columbia, Missouri for… 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.