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.
What happened in the 18 Nov 1988 Beech A35 accident near Shirley, NY?
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.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 18 Nov 1988 involved a Beech A35, registration N8697A, at Shirley, NY.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
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.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…