NTSB Factual Report

On July 24, 2003, about 0930 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Murch Rotec Rally 3, N317RE, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following an in-flight rudder cable failure near Searcy, Arkansas. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight departed from Searcy Municipal Airport, near Searcy, Arkansas, and was maneuvering in the traffic pattern at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated:

It was a cool, calm summer morning for July in Arkansas. I

departed Searcy Municipal Airport (SRC) at 9:30 AM. The departure

was to the south. I made a right hand turn to the west. Remaining in the

traffic pattern at 1250 ft [mean sea level] I made a second turn to the

right heading north. Just after turning east (base) I heard on my radio

that a twin Jet was on its way in for landings at Searcy. I slowed and

lingered on base for separation. As I made my turn south (Final)

applying right rudder the right rudder cable broke. Because of

pressure being applied to both rudder pedals I inadvertently applied

left rudder causing the aircraft to go into a death spiral. I applied full

right [ailerons] but continued to spiral after three to five rotations I used

basic spin recovery and was able to level the aircraft and maintain minimal

control at about 250 ft [above ground level]. I landed in an empty lot

which was not quite long enough for roll out and came to rest in a ditch ... .

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the rudder cable separation. The cable separation appeared frayed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The frayed rudder cable that failed during the turn to final. A factor was the ditch the airplane encountered during the forced landing.