What happened
Following departure from Molokai Airport, the pilot of the aircraft experienced sudden instability and loss of control. In response to these developing mechanical difficulties, the pilot initiated a descent to lower altitude with the intention of performing an emergency landing in a nearby prairie area.
The aircraft successfully reached the ground but slid across the terrain for several yards before coming to a complete stop. The incident resulted in two serious injuries and seven minor injuries among the occupants. No fatalities were reported during the event.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified an airframe failure occurring during the initial climb phase. The primary cause was attributed to improper maintenance procedures performed by ground personnel. Specifically, the elevator cable (P/N 5000008-8) had been misrouted outside of its designated pulley guard pin.
This incorrect installation led to the following technical issues:
- The elevator and elevator tab control systems were compromised.
- The improperly positioned cable suffered from continuous chafing.
- The resulting wear caused the elevator cable to eventually break, leading to the loss of flight control.