Pilot 'Heard A Loud Pop And The Control Yoke Oscillated Violently'

Location: Monroe, LA Accident Number: CEN22LA202
Date & Time: May 15, 2022, 13:20 Local Registration: N619AC
Aircraft: Cessna 421C Injuries: 6 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On May 15, 2022, about 1320 central daylight time, a Cessna 421C, N619AC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Monroe, Louisiana. The pilot and five passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot stated that immediately after departure from Morehouse Memorial Airport (BQP), Bastrop, Louisiana, he heard a loud pop and the control yoke oscillated violently. He declared an emergency and proceeded to Monroe Regional Airport (MLU), Monroe, Louisiana, about 16 miles southwest, for a longer runway and emergency services. The control yoke continued to oscillate until the airplane was on final approach about 3 miles from MLU. The pilot landed the airplane without further incident.

A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right elevator had mostly separated from the horizontal stabilizer. There was a small puncture on the right side of the elevator. A small inboard, forward portion of the elevator remained attached.

The elevator trim push rod remained attached to the trim actuator; however, there was no bolt, nut, or cotter pin attached to the aft fork connection and the trim tab was missing. The pushrod did not exhibit any preaccident damage or anomalies. The remainder of right elevator and trim tab have not been recovered.

A review of the airplane’s maintenance logbooks revealed that the elevator trim system was rerigged on May 13, 2022.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov