Accident Overview
On August 22, 2011, at approximately 1600 central daylight time, a Piper Aerostar 601P, registration N8076J, experienced a vibration in the flight controls after departing from Alpine-Casparis Municipal Airport (E38) in Alpine, Texas. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal cross-country flight destined for Houston Southwest Airport (AXH) in Houston, Texas. An instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff, he felt a vibration in the airplane's controls. He decided to return to the departure airport for a precautionary landing. While on short final approach, the airplane impacted a fence, followed by a hard landing on the runway. During the landing, both main landing gear were pushed through the upper wing skins, and the nose gear collapsed. The airplane subsequently exited the runway before coming to rest in an upright position.
Occupants and Damage
The private pilot, a second pilot, and the sole passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination revealed that the bolt holding the rudder trim tab to the actuator connecting rod was missing. The absence of this bolt would allow the trim tab to swing freely on its hinge.
Pilot Statement
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated that during the preflight inspection he observed the rudder trim system was inoperative. Unable to center the rudder trim tab, the pilot elected to remove the bolt before takeoff. The pilot further reported that he planned to have the trim system repaired upon returning to his home base.