Accident Details
On July 17, 2021, at approximately 1610 central daylight time, an experimental Zenith CH 750 airplane, registration N9667Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Blossom, Texas. The pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The airplane was operating as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, shortly after takeoff from a private grass airstrip, the airplane experienced a rudder control malfunction. The pilot returned to land on the airstrip but was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane departed the runway and came to rest on a road. During the runway excursion, the fuselage, empennage, and both wings sustained substantial damage.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the flight controls revealed that the control cable that should have been connected to the pilot's left rudder pedal was separated at the point where it had been swaged to the end fitting. Other flight control cables were swaged in a similar manner, and all were done improperly according to the airplane kit manufacturer. No other anomalies were noted with the airplane.
Maintenance Records
The airplane maintenance logbooks indicated that the airplane received an experimental airworthiness certificate in 2018. There were no entries related to the rudder control cables. The last condition inspection was completed on November 18, 2020, “in accordance with the scope and detail of Part 43 appendix D,” and the airplane was “determined to be in a condition for safe operation.”