FTW01LA034

Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed when the airplane entered an uncommanded left roll while in the traffic pattern turning from upwind to crosswind. The left wing struck the ground and the airplane came to rest in brushy terrain, approximately 100 yards east of the runway. The FAA inspector examined the aircraft and observed that paint was missing from the rear edge of the rudder control arm, and manual movement of the rudder against the centering spring resulted in the cable eye hooking itself behind the rudder control arm. The airplane had accumulated 26 hours of flight time since the last condition inspection.

On December 9, 2000, at 1800 central standard time, an Evans Varieze homebuilt experimental airplane, N64592, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during the initial takeoff climb at the T. P. McCambell Airport, near Ingleside, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, received minor injuries. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Corpus Christi International Airport, Corpus Christi, Texas, at an unknown time.

The pilot reported to local authorities and the FAA inspector who responded to the site, that while in the traffic pattern, during the turn from upwind to crosswind, full opposite rudder would not overcome an uncommanded roll to the left, which continued until the left wing struck the ground. The airplane came to rest in brushy terrain, approximately 100 yards east of runway 13.

The FAA inspector examined the aircraft and found extensive structural damage throughout the airplane. He established flight control continuity with all linkages, push/pull rods, and bellcranks. He observed that paint was missing from the rear edge of the rudder control arm, and manual movement of the rudder against the centering spring resulted in the cable eye hooking itself behind the rudder control arm.

The last condition inspection was performed on September 8, 2000, at a total airframe time of 2,173.6 hours. The pilot estimated that the airplane had accumulated 26 hours of flight time since the last condition inspection.

Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot were unsuccessful.