17) FAILED FLT CONTROL SYSTEM, U-FIT

Robinson R-44 | N478AT

March 23rd, 2026 | Boyton Beach, Florida

Accident Location

  • City: Boyton Beach
  • State: Florida
  • Latitude: 26.487889
  • Longitude: -80.087067
  • Airport ID:

Aircraft Info

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Carrasco, Alejandro J.
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 38
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: Yes
  • Instructional Flight: Yes
  • Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 1st Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: March 23rd, 2026
  • Time: 12:20 PM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Enroute
  • Total People Onboard: 2
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 1
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 2
  • NTSB No:
  • NTSB Travel: Unknown
  • AQP Classification: 17) FAILED FLT CONTROL SYSTEM, U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be a failed flight control system, in that the accident aircraft upper right push-pull tube was found separated from the lower rod end (part number D173-2), which remained
attached to the upper hydraulic servo piston shaft at the clevis (part number D200-1). The palnut and jam nut that secure the upper right push-pull tube to the rod end could not be
rotated by hand on the rod end threads. The upper right push-pull tube was observed to be elongated at the threaded end (see figure 2). Remnants of torque stripe paint was present on
the push-pull tube, palnut, and jam nut. This was the first flight on the accident aircraft after having completed a 100 hour inspection which was signed off on the same day as the accident.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft be very careful in receiving any aircraft coming out of maintenance, and that all critical bolts and pins be double verified prior to flight.

NTSB: NONE

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.