The FAA recently received a report of a damaged elevator control horn on a Lancair Evolution aircraft. During a routine inspection, the mechanic noticed excessive play of the elevator flight controls. Upon further inspection with the access panels removed, the elevator control horn was found visibly damaged, exhibiting signs of severe cracking and corrosion inside and around it. Failure of the elevator control horn may lead to loss of control of the aircraft. The FAA is currently investigating this concern.
We recommend Lancair Evolution owners/operators conduct a detailed visual inspection to check for any signs of cracking, corrosion, or other damage both inside and around the control horn. If you discover damage, please report your findings to the FAA point of contact on the airworthiness concern sheet.
The Lancair Evolution is not a type-certified aircraft, so any corrective actions that result from this will be non-mandatory recommendations. Please note that participation in this process is completely voluntary.
An airworthiness concern sheet (ACS) is a means for FAA aviation safety engineers to coordinate airworthiness concerns with aircraft owners/operators through associations and type clubs. Resolving an airworthiness concern could involve an airworthiness directive (AD) action or a special airworthiness information bulletin (SAIB), or the FAA could determine that no action is needed. The FAA’s final determination will depend partly on the information received in response to this ACS.
