Accident Overview
Shortly after takeoff from Del Rio Airport, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed. All three occupants were killed. They were completing a search and rescue mission to Alamogordo.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause of the accident to be an uncontrolled collision with ground during initial climb due to elevator failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Flight control surfaces: elevator assembly, attachments
- Previous damage
- Elevator push-pull tube broken
- Aircraft parked in winds 30 gusting 58 knots
- Controls not locked
These factors were identified as contributing to the elevator failure that led to the loss of control and subsequent crash.