MX Aircraft MXS | N530RH

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the accident pilot did previously install elevator feel counterweight threaded aluminum plugs, designed to hold the lead-based counterweights in place inside of the elevator. The aluminum screw type plugs were installed on the inboard section of each elevator without any safety wire, cotter key, or restraining clips. At some point during the accident flight, the elevator became bound by the aluminum retention plug on the left elevator, likely binding and restricting elevator movement. The accident flight was observed to approach runway 08 in level flight at about 50 feet AGL, then porpoise twice, then rotated aggressively to a nearly vertical profile, whereupon the aircraft stalled and rotated to the left about 300 degrees of rotation. The aircraft impacted nearly flat on an approximate heading of 150 degrees magnetic. The cockpit control stick was likely to move have moved aggressively aft with significant force, and eventually caused the binding plug to break free, causing the aircraft nose to pitch up, and the counterweight plug to fall free from the accident aircraft. One propeller blade remained attached to the hub at the crash site and was remarkably undamaged, possibly indicating slow propeller rotation, or no propeller rotation at impact. All wing tank fuel cells were found to be not breached, but dry. The main header tank was both breached and empty. The aircraft had been modified to hold almost 100 gallons of fuel for cross-country transport purposes. There was no post-accident fire. It is common for airshow participants to plan a flight to land with no wing tank fuel on board in anticipation of flying the airshow routine, which is planned to be completed with minimum fuel on board. At this time, it cannot be determined if the engine was capable of providing power to aid in the recovery of the defining event due to possible fuel starvation. The Probable cause of this accident is the accident pilot’s improper maintenance modifications, and preflight inspection.

Probable Cause issued 7/02/2026 – 15 months after the accident: A counterweight plug that loosened during the accident flight, jammed the elevator, and resulted in loss of control during landing.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft NOT modify aircraft without strict supervision and approval, and that all modifications be safetied and secured so that in flight vibrations cannot cause any nuts or riggings to walk while in flight. The DTSB also recommends that all pilots review minimum fuel requirement for each trip and plan to land with at least 45 minutes of useable fuel in day VMC conditions.