Jim Vincent wrote:
(DG's) have an elevator pushrod that
terminates in a 'C' shaped fitting. A roller bearing on the elevator fits
snugly into the open 'C', a reliable automatic hookup but does need
attention at assembly time.


Wrong there, my friend. The standard Cirrus accident where the elevator
disconnected failed because the pushrod did not catch in the "C". Admittingly,
it is very difficult to make it happen, but it can and did. Had he done a
proper inspection, he would have caught it. This is proven by tests Tom Knauff
did on a standard Cirrus. After much effort, he was able to invoke the failure
mode.

After the glider is assembled, and before the pilot does the PCC,
doesn't he walk around the glider and inspect the control surfaces and
move them through their full deflections, in addition to other
inspections? Isn't the improperly assembled elevator noticable during
this inspection?

When the Std Cirrus elevator is connected improperly in this fashion,
isn't the front of the elevator quite high and easily visible to pilot
standing near the cockpit while doing the PCC?

It's been a long time since I've had my Std Cirrus, but I think a pilot
that does a proper inspection has as least 3 chances (including looking
in the little window right after assembly) to notice an improperly
assembled elevator without the need to be at the control surfaces during
the PCC.

I'm with Ramy on this one: keep it simple. This one unfortunate case is
not a good argument for everyone to have the pilot at the control
surfaces during the PCC.

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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA