What happened
On November 17, 2024, at approximately 14:15 CST, a Pitts S-1E, registration N52B, was involved in an accident near Seguin, Texas. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal flight.
The pilot was performing an International Aerobatic Club Advanced Free Sequence maneuver when the left rudder pedal lost tension and moved to the firewall, resulting in a loss of rudder control. This caused the aircraft to cease its snap roll and enter an inverted spiraling descent. The pilot was able to regain control using the ailerons and elevator to stabilize the aircraft in upright flight. Although the pilot maintained right rudder control, the left pedal remained unresponsive, making it impossible to center the rudder.
The pilot attempted to return to Zuehl Airport (1TE4). During the approach, the pilot was unable to maintain lateral alignment with the runway until they manually manipulated the rudder by grabbing the broken left rudder cable to center the control surface. During the landing roll, the aircraft veered to the right. An attempt to correct the veer with the remaining right rudder control failed due to the friction of the tailwheel, causing the aircraft to ground loop and nose over. The aircraft came to rest in an inverted position, resulting in no injuries but causing substantial damage to the upper wings, lower left wing, and vertical stabilizer.
The investigation
An examination of the aircraft revealed that the left rudder cable had separated from its attachment linkage at the left rudder pedal. Additionally, the attachment loop for the right rudder cable showed evidence of frayed wires and possible corrosion on the thimble.