Accident Overview
On December 13, 2020, at approximately 1045 eastern standard time, a Flight Design CTSW, registration N138CT, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marion, North Carolina. The airline transport pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The flight was operating as a personal cross-country trip under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, destined for Frankfort, Kentucky.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that all preflight procedures were normal. Shortly after liftoff, at an airspeed of about 46 knots, the airplane suddenly yawed to the right and descended back onto the runway. The pilot attempted to reject the takeoff, but the airplane continued veering right. It departed the runway and entered soft terrain, causing the nosewheel to collapse and the aircraft to nose over. The pilot noted that the takeoff gross weight was 1,310 pounds, 10 pounds below the maximum, and reported that "something failed in the rudder."
Postaccident Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed the nose gear had collapsed and was crushed into the lower fuselage. The vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained structural damage. Flight control continuity was established from the rudder to the cockpit rudder pedals, but the pedals were jammed and immovable. Further inspection determined that the collapsed nose gear had bent the rod connecting the rudder pedal assembly to the nose gear steering linkage. Aside from this jamming, the rudder itself was free and clear with full travel available. Control continuity for the elevator and ailerons was confirmed.