Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 180J near Abingdon, VA — 2012-04-17

Final reportERA12CA288
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Date
2012-04-17
Location
Abingdon, VA, USA
Airport
VJI
Aircraft
CESSNA 180J
Registration
N180BA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The passenger’s inadvertent blockage of the rudder pedals, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he made a visual approach for landing at his destination airport. He flared the airplane, and it touched down on the runway. The airplane started to veer to the left as he began to apply brakes. He attempted to apply right rudder, but the rudder would not move because his passenger had inadvertently stretched his legs out and blocked the rudder pedals. The airplane continued off the left side of the runway and collided with a ditch. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing and the fuselage. The pilot stated that he did not experience any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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