Pilot Debrief

HOSTEIN K/HOSTEIN S PIETENPOL near Albion, NY — 2017-08-23

Final reportERA17LA292
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Date
2017-08-23
Location
Albion, NY, USA
Airport
NY06
Aircraft
HOSTEIN K/HOSTEIN S PIETENPOL
Registration
N888MG
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

Loss of directional control due to a restriction of rudder movement.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot had flown the airplane “many times” before the accident flight and was planning on conducting a local sightseeing flight on the day of the accident. According to the pilot, the preflight inspection, engine start, run-up, flight control check, taxi, and takeoff roll were normal. During the take-off roll, the tail lifted off normally. Immediately after takeoff, the airplane began an abrupt and uncontrollable yaw to the left. The pilot applied full right aileron and full right rudder, but the airplane continued a turn to the left. The pilot determined the airplane was “travelling too fast to land in the rough field adjacent to the runway” and began to climb. The airplane impacted trees bordering the left side of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the airframe and the firewall. Postaccident examination of the rudder control cables and their associated linkages revealed that, when the cable was manipulated the rudder deflected fully left, and it was difficult to move the rudder to the right. The examination could not conclusively determine the reason for the restricted movement of the rudder. In addition, the right tail wheel spring was loose, the attachment S hook appeared elongated, and there was bending to the right spring inner bandings. The pilot’s loss of directional control was likely due the restricted movement of the rudder controls. The bending of the spring and the elongated S hook suggest that significant right rudder force was applied against the rudder control, though the cause of the restriction could not be conclusively confirmed.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after initial yawing turn.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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