On April 28, 1989, a Boeing A75N1 (registration N57946) operated by Doan Helicopters, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near New Smyrna Bch., FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The rudder stops were removed, allowing the rudder to contact the elevator and render it inoperable. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane returned shortly after departure due to an unattached tail hook. During landing in a crosswind, the airplane weathervaned and turned, damaging the right wing. Investigation revealed missing rudder stops caused rudder-elevator interference.
Narrative
Shortly after departure, the flight crew returned the airplane to land because the tail hook was not attached. The approach was normal, and the pilot executed a three-point landing with a 20-degree left crosswind at 10 knots. During the landing roll, the airplane weathervaned. The pilot applied full right rudder, up elevator, and left aileron control as the wing was raised by the wind. Despite these inputs, the airplane continued to turn. The upper and lower right wings were damaged by contact with the ground.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the airplane revealed that the rudder stops had been removed. This allowed the rudder to contact the elevator, rendering the elevator inoperable. The missing rudder stops were identified as a condition that prevented proper control response during the landing.
Probable cause
The rudder stops were removed, allowing the rudder to contact the elevator and render it inoperable.