# NTSB LAX96LA232: Moore Goshawk 350, N345RM, Livermore, CA, June 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 17, 1996, 16:35 local (23:35 UTC) - Place: Livermore, CA - Coordinates: 37.679477, -121.750488 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6795&lon=-121.7505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29471 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29471/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA232 ## Probable cause an overstress failure of the left rudder cable. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - flt control syst,rudder control cable/rod - failure,total (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - bail-out/emergency ejection - performed, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot was in the process of tightening his shoulder harness by pushing himself back into his seat with his feet on the rudder pedals. As he pushed with both feet he suddenly felt both rudder pedals go all the way to the floor. The aircraft immediately snap rolled to the right and his attempts at regaining control were unsuccessful. He was able to successfully parachute from the aircraft. A postaccident inspection revealed the left rudder cable was separated aft of the left rudder pedal. An examination of the broken cable revealed that the separation showed that individual wires were necked down or had slant fractures, which is typical of overstress separations. There was no evidence of corrosion damage, wear, or deformation. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 1996, at 1635 hours Pacific daylight time, a Moore Goshawk 350, N345RM, collided with the terrain after an uncontrolled descent near Livermore, California. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated in Livermore at 1629 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he was in the aerobatic box near Tracy airport flying at an altitude between 4,500 and 5,000 feet msl. He was in the process of tightening his shoulder harness by pushing himself back into his seat with his feet on the rudder pedals. As he pushed with both feet he suddenly felt both rudder pedals go all the way to the floor. The aircraft immediately snap rolled to the right and his attempts at regaining control were unsuccessful. The aircraft continued to spin as the pilot attempted to egress. He was able to successfully parachute from the aircraft, but stated that he injured two of the vertebra in his back on landing. A postaccident inspection of the aircraft by FAA inspectors revealed the left rudder cable was separated at a point 25.5 inches aft of the left rudder pedal swedge. The inspectors reported that both of the 0.125-inch diameter cables appeared to be relatively new and were routed through protective, antichaffing guides from front to rear. The right cable remained intact from the rudder to the rudder pedal. Both sides of the broken cable were examined by Safety Board metallurgists. Their examination revealed that the separation showed that individual wires were necked down or had slant fractures, which they stated was typical of overstress separations. They reported no evidence of corrosion damage, wear, or deformation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N345RM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N345RM-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Moore GOSHAWK 350 (GOSHAWK 35) - Registry model: [Moore E R GOSHAWK 350](https://openairdocs.org/model/moore-e-r-goshawk-350) (registry code 056128Z) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 007 - Airframe hours: 710 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-P1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David Eblovi - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 1995, 25 hours before - Departed: LDK, LIVERMORE, CA - Destination: TCY, TRACY, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,000 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 14 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LVK, 11 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 19960617014159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960617014159A), Jun 17, 1996: Amtr GOSHAWK, Livermore, CA, Destroyed. Lost rudder control. Snaprolled into spin. Bailed out. Landed minor injury. Rudder cable broke due over stress. 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.