Howard Aircraft DGA 15P N1785H accident near Englewood, Colorado

Probable cause

The separation of the elevator control system linkage at a push/pull tube and cable joint, for an unknown reason, because the bolt and associated hardware securing the joint was not found for examination.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he was en route to his destination and three to four miles before reaching the runway, he lost elevator authority. The pilot used elevator trim and power settings to control pitch and descended over the runway. The pilot was able to level off over the runway and tried to get the airspeed to decrease. The airplane descended, impacted the runway, and sustained substantial damage to a wing strut.

A postaccident examination by the FAA revealed the elevator control separated at a connection between the control cable and a push/pull tube. The tube and cable ends remained intact, and showed no signs of deformation or fatigue. The bolt connecting them was missing and not recovered for examination. According to methods, techniques, and practices in Advisory Circular 43.13B the bolt should have been secured with a castellated nut and cotter pin, and neither were recovered from the wreckage.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15CA294 for the full record.