What happened
While flying approximately 5 miles north of Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) at roughly 4,000 feet mean sea level, the pilot experienced a sudden, sharp nose-down pitch. This maneuver was accompanied by uncontrollable oscillations of the control yoke lasting about five seconds. During this period, a loud shearing noise was heard coming from the right rear of the aircraft. Upon inspecting the area, the pilot observed sheet metal flapping in the wind near the elevator section. The pilot declared an emergency and was cleared for an immediate landing at FXE, which was completed without further incident. There were not injured during the event.
The investigation
An NTSB examination of the aircraft revealed that a 16-inch section of the right elevator's outboard area was missing; this piece was later recovered in a residential area approximately 5 miles north of FXE. The remaining portion of the elevator, from the outboard edge to the inboard hinge, had been peeled upward and aft. Investigators found that the hardware connecting the elevator trim tab horn to the elevator trim actuator push-rod was missing. No abnormalities were found on the surfaces of the trim tab horn or the push-rod attachment area.
Maintenance records showed the aircraft had undergone inspections and maintenance on February 21, 2005, which included an overhaul of the elevator trim tab actuator. The mechanic responsible for the installation stated that a new bolt, washer, nut, and cotter pin were used according to the maintenance manual. Another mechanic confirmed he provided the cotter pin to the installer. While the pilot could not recall if a self-locking nut or a nut with a cotter pin was used, he noted no irregularities during his preflight inspections or subsequent test flights.