Pilot Debrief

American Champion Aircraft 7ECA near Longview, TX — 2020-10-07

Final reportCEN21LA033
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Date
2020-10-07
Location
Longview, TX, USA
Airport
GGG
Aircraft
American Champion Aircraft 7ECA
Registration
N790L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The improper installation of a clevis pin in the rudder system which led to a loss of directional control during landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing, when he attempted to input right rudder to correct for a left turn, the right rudder pedal moved full forward and prevented use of the right rudder or right brake. The airplane continued to turn left, exited the runway, and impacted a ditch resulting in substantial damage. After the accident it was found that the clevis pin that secured the rudder pedal to the top of the brake master cylinder had disconnected. The clevis pin was later found in the belly of the airplane. The cotter key that should have been installed to secure the clevis pin was not found, indicating that the cotter key likely was not installed. The most recent maintenance performed on the rudder pedals was about 1 year earlier and the airplane had accumulated about 500 hours since that maintenance was performed. Based on the evidence, it is likely that when maintenance was performed on the rudder pedals 1 year earlier the installation of the retaining cotter key was not accomplished by maintenance personnel. This error did not manifest until the clevis pin eventually worked loose and prevented the use of the right rudder and brake during the landing roll and resulted in the loss of directional control.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Ensure clevis pin was secured with cotter key during maintenance.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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