NTSB Factual Report

On July 23, 2001, at 1910 central daylight time, a Mitchell Aircraft Corporation T-10, N3221X, collided with trees during an uncommanded roll after takeoff from a private grass strip, near Ashland City, Tennessee. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial rated, aerobatic Certified flight instructor (CFI), and his passenger received serious injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight departed the private airstrip at Ashland City, Tennessee, at 1905.

According to the CFI, after takeoff from the private grass strip, the CFI reported the airplane developed an " extreme vibration". He retarded the throttle and the vibration diminished. When the CFI banked the airplane to return to the private grass strip, the left wing dropped excessively. As engine power was increased to maintain a climb, the airplane made an uncommaded roll and began descending. The airplane collided with trees during the uncontrolled descent and impacted the ground.

The post-impact examination of the airplane showed that the left rudder cable had binded in the in the wing and the left rudder would travel about half the normal distance. According to the CFI, during normal operation, the rudder assemblies are returned to the neutral position by spring action; the rudder assembly is designed to move in only one direction. The examination also showed that the outer half of both wing assemblies was destroyed. The wing design has the rudder assemblies installed vertically on the wing tips. The examination also nation of the airplane revealed the aileron stabilator and rudder were completely destroyed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The restricted movement of the rudder cable, resulting in a loss of control and collision with trees.