Accident Overview
On October 26, 2014, about 1130 Pacific daylight time, an Extra Flugzeugproduktions airplane, registration N763DT, experienced an in-flight rudder cable separation after recovering from a spin maneuver. The airplane was operated by Sky Combat Ace under 14 CFR Part 91 as an aerobatic demonstration flight. The flight instructor and pilot-rated passenger were not injured, but the airplane sustained substantial damage.
The flight departed from Henderson Executive Airport, Las Vegas, about 1100. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Flight Sequence
The flight instructor stated that the purpose was to demonstrate the airplane's characteristics to the passenger. During recovery from a spin, he felt the rudder pedal go completely slack and move forward, indicating a cable separation. He declared an emergency and elected to land at McCarran International Airport due to its robust emergency facilities and less crosswind. During the landing on runway 19R, directional control could not be maintained, and the airplane slid off the right side of the runway.
Investigation Findings
A post-accident examination by an FAA inspector located the separated rudder cable. The cable was sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory. Examination revealed that the cable failed due to tension overstress. Several wire strands showed damage from rubbing wear, with some strands completely or nearly worn through, compromising the cable's cross-section. No obvious material transfer was noted.
Related Safety Bulletins
Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-12-01, issued in October 2011, addressed rudder cable failures in some Extra Aircraft. The SAIB noted that stainless steel cables are susceptible to corrosion and wear damage, and recommended cable inspections and installation of a protective hose. No record of implementation of this SAIB was found in the airplane's logbooks.