Flight Event
After takeoff and flap retraction, while the first officer was manually retrimming the airplane, the elevator control system failed. The flight subsequently returned and landed uneventfully.
Examination
Examination of the elevator control system revealed a failed cable segment located between fuselage station 74 in the cockpit and fuselage station 310 in the cabin. The cable had failed approximately at the midpoint between a 45-degree change in direction. A metallurgical examination of the failed cable determined that the failure was due to fatigue and wear.
Maintenance History
The airplane manufacturer requires the cables to be inspected every 4,800 hours. The airplane operator reduced the inspection interval to 2,400 hours. The cables were last inspected 2,247.5 hours prior to the event. The airplane manufacturer requires cable replacement only on condition.