ERA17LA292

The private pilot had flown the airplane “many times” before the accident flight and was planning on conducting a local sightseeing flight on the day of the accident. According to the pilot, the preflight inspection, engine start, run-up, flight control check, taxi, and takeoff roll were normal. During the take-off roll, the tail lifted off normally. Immediately after takeoff, the airplane began an abrupt and uncontrollable yaw to the left. The pilot applied full right aileron and full right rudder, but the airplane continued a turn to the left. The pilot determined the airplane was “travelling too fast to land in the rough field adjacent to the runway” and began to climb. The airplane impacted trees bordering the left side of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the airframe and the firewall. Postaccident examination of the rudder control cables and their associated linkages revealed that, when the cable was manipulated the rudder deflected fully left, and it was difficult to move the rudder to the right. The examination could not conclusively determine the reason for the restricted movement of the rudder. In addition, the right tail wheel spring was loose, the attachment S hook appeared elongated, and there was bending to the right spring inner bandings. The pilot’s loss of directional control was likely due the restricted movement of the rudder controls. The bending of the spring and the elongated S hook suggest that significant right rudder force was applied against the rudder control, though the cause of the restriction could not be conclusively confirmed.

On August 23, 2017, at 1945 eastern daylight time, an experimental Hostein K/Hostein S Pietenpol, N888MG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Albion, New York. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot had flown the airplane “many times” before the accident flight and was planning on conducting a local sightseeing flight. The preflight inspection, engine start, run-up, flight control check, and taxi were normal. During the takeoff roll, the tail lifted off normally, but immediately after takeoff, the airplane began “an abrupt yawing turn to the left.” The pilot attempted to correct with full right aileron and full right rudder control input, but the airplane continued to turn to the left. The pilot determined that the airplane was travelling too fast to land in the rough field next to the runway, so he attempted to climb over a row of hangers and nearby trees. He further stated that, as the airplane crossed the tree line about 250 ft south of the departure end of runway 27, the left wing first struck branches, then the airplane descended into the trees, spun to the left, and struck the ground upright. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that both wing spars were fractured about 4 feet inboard of the left wing tip. The right horizontal stabilizer was bent upward about 90° near mid span. The landing gear had collapsed, and there was substantial damage to the airframe and the firewall. The fuel tank was intact and contained approximately 10 gallons of aviation fuel. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to rudder, ailerons, and elevator. All controls moved freely with no binding. However, when the elevator control stick was moved aft against what felt like the stop, after applying more aft pressure, the control stick moved slightly further aft. Additionally, when the right tailwheel cable was manipulated and the rudder deflected fully left, and it was difficult to move the rudder to the right. In addition, the right tail wheel spring was loose, the attachment S hook appeared elongated, and there was bending to the right spring inner bandings. A visual inspection of the of the engine did not reveal any noticeable discrepancies or mechanical anomalies.