N95RLNeedham G Ronald STODDARD-HAMILTON TD · 1994

On April 14, 2013, about 1645 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Stoddard-Hamilton TD, N95RL, impacted terrain following a loss of directional control during takeoff at Monroe County Airport (BMG), Bloomington, Indiana. A rudder cable separated at a connector during the takeoff. The private pilot was uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The airplane was registered to an individual and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the local flight that was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he applied partial engine power to start the takeoff roll and added right rudder to maintain directional control down the runway. As the tailwheel lifted off the runway, the pilot applied additional right rudder input and added more engine power. The pilot heard something break and lost rudder control. He "quickly" reduced engine power to idle, and the airplane made a hard left turn. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway into soft grass. The airplane came to rested on its nose.

The pilot's safety recommendation was "Closer inspection of rudder cable swages. Apply 'slippage indicator', i.e. torque seal, nail polish, to rudder cable at swage."

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector confirmed continuity of the flight controls. When pressing the right rudder pedal there was no response at the rudder. While checking for damage it was noted that the right main gear was severely damaged with a hole in the composite wing and in the side of the fuselage. Both propeller blades were bent from impact with the ground. The right wing tip was scraped, and the navigation light was broken. The right rudder cable was not attached to the bellcrank. The cable slipped out of a connector. The connector collar was not properly crimped, allowing the cable to slip. It was also noted that the left cable appeared to be slipping with very little of the cut end protruding from the connector.

The aircraft data plate was made of a material consistent with paper or plastic that did not meet the requirements of Part 45. The aircraft owner stated that the data plate has been on the aircraft since it was certificated in 1994.

The maintenance record showed the last condition inspection was dated October 25, 2012, and a record indicated that a single strand of the left rudder cable was broken where it ran over a pulley. The airplane owner said the airplane was inspected every year and there has been no change in the rudder cable strand.