Pilot Debrief

Needham Stoddard-Hamilton TD near Bloomington, IN — 2013-04-14

Final reportCEN13LA231
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Date
2013-04-14
Location
Bloomington, IN, USA
Airport
BMG
Aircraft
Needham Stoddard-Hamilton TD
Registration
N95RL
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The improper installation of a rudder control cable connector and its subsequent separation from the bellcrank, which resulted in the loss of directional control during takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The pilot lost directional control during the takeoff roll, and the airplane veered off the runway and impacted terrain. A postaccident examination of the flight control system revealed that the right rudder control cable had slipped out of a connector and detached from the bellcrank due to the improper crimping of the connector collar.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Inspect rudder cable connections before takeoff to ensure proper crimping.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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