March 23, Houston, Texas / Cessna 150 Aerobat

At approximately 0945 central time, a Cessna FA150K aerobatic airplane sustained structural damage during recovery from an acrobatic maneuver near Houston. The pilot was not injured. The pilot said he completed a wingover and felt flutter in the elevator, then the elevator jammed. The pilot managed to land without further incident. Examination of the airplane revealed that the trim tab had separated from the right elevator, the right stabilizer was bent upward, the trim tab actuator was found loose in the mount and the rivet holes where the trim tab attached to the elevator were deformed. Black electrical tape was found under the clamp for the trim tab actuator....

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Key Takeaways:

  • A Cessna FA150K sustained structural damage and elevator jamming during recovery from an acrobatic maneuver near Houston, though the pilot landed safely without injury.
  • Investigation revealed the trim tab had separated from the right elevator, leading to an upward-bent right stabilizer, a loose trim tab actuator, and deformed rivet holes.
  • Black electrical tape was notably found under the clamp for the trim tab actuator.
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At approximately 0945 central time, a Cessna FA150K aerobatic airplane sustained structural damage during recovery from an acrobatic maneuver near Houston. The pilot was not injured. The pilot said he completed a wingover and felt flutter in the elevator, then the elevator jammed. The pilot managed to land without further incident. Examination of the airplane revealed that the trim tab had separated from the right elevator, the right stabilizer was bent upward, the trim tab actuator was found loose in the mount and the rivet holes where the trim tab attached to the elevator were deformed. Black electrical tape was found under the clamp for the trim tab actuator.

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