Originally Posted by
treadigraph
North Yorks Aztec crash was fatal - aircraft appears to have dived in while returning to Bagby from Ireland, last ADSB signal showed ROD of nearly 3000 fpm and 238kts! Catastrophic mechanical or medical problem perhaps? No idea what the weather was like.
There is enough evidence from the newspaper image to show the stabilator is in one piece, as is the trim tab. The control linkages are pretty simple for an Aztec, I would be looking at the control continuity, but there is no external evidence of pitch failure. To lose pitch control on the aztec is I would postulate relatively remote scenario, either trim or elevator control run is sufficient to easily fly the plane. A jam is always a possibility in any control system, even iPads and yaw pedals etc.