Blames Pilot's Failure To Address Pitch Control Malfunction

The NTSB says a January 2005 crash of a Cessna 337 in Lakeland, FL was likely the result of a pitch control malfunction. The pilot and a passenger were killed in the crash.

A pre-buy inspection in preparation for its sale revealed no problems with the aircraft. The new owner had the aircraft ferried to Florida from California two days prior to the accident -- the ferry pilot said the trip was "fairly flawless."

During three separate flights the day of the accident a pilot-rated passenger noted an aggressive pitch-up during take-off rotation. He noted the pitch trim was set to the proper range. On the landing prior to the accident flight, the pilot performed a full-stall landing from an altitude of ten feet.

The pilot requested no inspections or maintenance on the elevator or pitch trim systems before the accident flight.

On the final take off, a tower controller saw the aircraft pitch up 30 - 45 degrees before leveling off between 150 - 200 feet. He said five seconds later the wings began rocking before the aircraft started descending in a nose and left wing low attitude. The pilot appeared to make a final attempt to stop the descent before impacting the runway slightly nose up and left wing low.

Witnesses on the ground reported normal engine sounds from both engines during the take off.

Post-crash inspections revealed no indication of pre-impact failure of the primary and secondary flight control cables. Inspectors found the pitch trim set at four to five degrees nose down. The aircraft was configured with gear down and flaps at ten degrees.

Inspectors also carefully examined the pilot's seat finding evidence the lock pin was engaged at the time of impact. The NTSB also ruled out problems with weight and balance.

The NTSB concluded the probable cause of the accident as the pilot's operation of the airplane with known deficiencies in equipment related to pitch, an abrupt pitch-up during the initial climb after takeoff for undetermined reasons and the failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed resulting in inadvertent stall, uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with terrain.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov