Pilot Debrief

Wheat Excalibur EX near Moses Lake, WA — 2008-08-18

Final reportSEA08CA184
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Date
2008-08-18
Location
Moses Lake, WA, USA
Aircraft
Wheat Excalibur EX
Registration
N2505Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The right rudder pedal attach rivets sheared due to overload.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was on a local, personal flight in an experimental airplane. While in cruise flight approximately 600 feet above ground level he heard a loud bang and the airplane entered a right turn. The pilot used aileron to counteract the turn; however, the airplane descended into the reservoir below. Post accident inspection showed that the rivets securing the rudder pedals had sheared in overload and there was no evidence of corrosion. During the impact sequence, the fuselage sustained structural damage. According to the kit supplier, the rudder pedal horns are secured using three rivets per pedal. The kit supplier indicated that the rivets could be put under excessive stress while operating the airplane over gross weight and/or powering the airplane with an engine that produces over 65 horsepower. The engine installed in the airframe produced 85 horsepower. As a result of the accident, the kit supplier suggested that the builders include a rudder pedal security check and if they are loose, replace two of the three rivets with two bolts. All future designs kits produced and shipped will include the bolts.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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