# NTSB FTW01LA181: Zacharius Acroduster I, N6614R, Conroe, TX, August 10, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 2001, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Conroe, TX - Coordinates: 30.320898, -95.470077 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3209&lon=-95.4701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53323 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53323/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA181 ## Probable cause the mechanic's inadequate inspection which resulted in the undetected corroded rudder cable and its subsequent failure during aerobatic maneuvers. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - flt control syst,rudder control - corroded (cause) - flt control syst,rudder control - failure,total (cause) - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - bail-out/emergency ejection - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot was performing aerobatic maneuvers when the airplane's right rudder cable separated. He flew the airplane to an open field, and while at 4,300 feet msl, exited the airplane. Once clear of the airplane, he deployed his parachute. He stated that he observed the airplane enter a descent, and subsequently, impact trees. The pilot landed on a dirt road without further incident. There were no reported ground injuries. Review of photographs taken at the accident site revealed that the rudder control cables displayed extensive corrosion. In addition to the total separation of the right rudder cable as a result of corrosion, other segments of the cable displayed separation of some cable strands. Review of the aircraft's maintenance records revealed that the aircraft underwent its last condition inspection on May 12, 2001, at an aircraft total time of 540.96 hours. The condition inspection was the last entry in the aircraft logbook and it read in part, "inspected and lubed control and cables." At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated approximately 18 hours since the last condition inspection. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 2001, at 1315 central daylight time, a Zacharius Acroduster I experimental, amateur built airplane, N6614R, was destroyed when it impacted terrain during an uncontrolled descent after the pilot parachuted from the airplane near Conroe, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal aerobatic flight. The local flight originated from the Montgomery County Airport, Conroe, Texas. According to the pilot, he was performing aerobatic maneuvers when the airplane's right rudder cable separated. He flew the airplane to an open field located 7 miles north of Conroe, and while at 4,300 feet msl, exited the airplane. Once clear of the airplane, he deployed his parachute. He stated that he observed the airplane enter a descent, and subsequently, impact trees. The pilot landed on a dirt road without further incident. There were no reported ground injuries. According to the FAA inspectors, who responded to the accident site, the airplane's structure sustained substantial damage. Review of photographs taken at the accident site revealed that the rudder control cables displayed severe corrosion. In addition to the total separation of the right rudder cable as a result of corrosion, the other segments of the cable displayed separation of some cable strands. Review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that the aircraft underwent its last condition inspection on May 12, 2001, at an aircraft total time of 540.96 hours. The condition inspection was the last entry in the aircraft logbook and it read in part, "inspected and lubed control and cables." At the time of the accident the aircraft had accumulated 558.3 total flight hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6614R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6614R-2003-04-07), registration cancelled 2003-04-07, S/N 0001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Zacharius Acroduster I - Registry model: [Zacharias Andrew J ACRODUSTER I](https://openairdocs.org/model/zacharias-andrew-j-acroduster-i) (registry code 05646FC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 558.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Troy Anthony Armand - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 12, 2001, 17 hours before - Departed: CXO, Conroe, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 11, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 468 total, 241 in this make and model, 419 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °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 20010810033509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010810033509A), Aug 10, 2001: Amtr ACRODUSTER1, Conroe, TX, Destroyed. (-23) Rudder cable on experimental/homebuilt (acrodusteri) aircraft broke during aerobatic competition. Pilot climbed toward uninhabited area, shut down… 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.