On November 18, 1988, a Beech A35 (registration N8697A) was involved in an aviation accident near Shirley, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: LOSS OF CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF, DUE TO THE FAILURE (SEPARATION) OF THE RIGHT RUDDER CONTROL CABLE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS IMPROPER INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CABLE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft made a steep climb after takeoff, turned left, and spiraled to the ground. The right rudder cable was found separated under the fuel tank with severe corrosion that consumed many wires. The last annual inspection was three months prior.
Accident Sequence
The aircraft executed a steep climb following takeoff, then turned sharply to the left and spiraled to the ground.
Findings
Examination revealed that the right rudder cable had separated in a location under the fuel tank. The cable strands in the area of the separation displayed severe corrosion; many of the wires were completely consumed by the corrosion. Among the few recognizable fractures on the wires, the fracture surfaces appeared typical of overstress separations.
Maintenance History
The most recent annual inspection of the aircraft had been completed three months before the accident.
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