CubCrafters CARBON CUB N257ST

Summary

On 27 October 2024 at about 18:15 local time, a CubCrafters CARBON CUB registered N257ST was involved in an accident near Ogallala, Nebraska, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 October 2024 at 18:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Ogallala, Nebraska, United States

Nearest airport

Searle Fld (OGA)

Coordinates

41.1178, -101.7816

Aircraft

CubCrafters CARBON CUB

Registration

N257ST

Category

Airplane

Year built

2021

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Englewood

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN25LA029

1 person had minor injuries.

The improper installation of the elevator control cable hardware, which resulted in the separation of the elevator control cable and a loss of pitch control in flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he performed a flight control check before departing in his experimental, amateur-built airplane, and that the flight controls operated normally. During the initial climb, about 30 to 50 ft above ground level, the elevator control went slack. He could not regain elevator control and adjusted engine power in an attempt to regain control of the airplane’s pitch; however, the airplane descended and impacted the runway surface. The airplane skidded off the runway, the pilot egressed, and the airplane was destroyed by postimpact fire. A postaccident examination of the airplane found that the top elevator control cable was not attached to the elevator horn. The securing bolt, nut, and cotter pin were not located. The lower elevator control cable remained attached via its bolt, but the securing nut and cotter pin were not located. A review of maintenance information about the airplane revealed that the airplane was originally assembled about three years before the accident, and had undergone several condition inspections, including one by a mechanic who was different than the owner/builder. The most recent condition inspection was performed by the owner/builder about nine months before the accident, and would have included inspection of all flight control surfaces. There was no logbook record of any recent maintenance to the elevator, nor did the pilot recall any. Based on the available information, it is likely that the elevator control cable was improperly secured during maintenance; however, when the maintenance occurred could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.