CircumFlightN6ND accident
NTSB ERA23LA167 · 2022-10-24 · Winter Haven, FL · near GIF
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Factual narrative
The purpose of the flight was for the pilot to practice touch-and-go landings in the tailwheel-equipped, tandem-seat airplane. Following nine uneventful landings, the pilot reported that he entered the traffic pattern at the destination airport. While on the base leg in the traffic pattern for landing he felt that the flight controls were “noticeably weird.” He aborted the landing attempt and tried to maneuver the airplane away from the airport. The pilot described that the airplane would not bank to the right and was descending, despite the engine power being at 2,200 rpm. The airplane continued in a left bank and the pilot was unable to level the wings, and despite application of aft elevator control input, he was unable to arrest the descent. The airplane continued toward a pasture and struck the ground left bank before striking trees. The airplane’s left wing sustained substantial damage during the impact. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He added that when he was examining the airplane after the accident, he noted that the rear seat headset had become unstowed and had, “fallen onto / and around” the right rear rudder pedal. Based on this information, it is likely that the unsecured headset obstructed the movement of the rudder controls, resulting in the airplane’s uncommanded left bank.
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to properly secure the rear seat headset, resulting in an obstruction of the airplane’s rudder controls. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.
Circumstances
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather conditions
- Visual Meteorological Cond
- Light condition
- Day
- Sky condition
- NONE
- Ceiling (ft)
- 0
- Visibility (sm)
- 10
- Wind direction
- 20
- Wind speed (kt)
- 4
- Temperature (F)
- 72
- Nearest airport
- WINTER HAVEN RGNL
- Distance from field
- 12.0
- Airport elevation
- 145
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N6ND | — | — | SUBS | 091 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landing Collision during takeoff/land | Cruise |
| 4 | Approach-VFR pattern downwind Flight control sys malf/fail defining | Cruise |
| 5 | Approach-VFR pattern downwind Loss of control in flight | Cruise |
| 6 | Prior to flight Preflight or dispatch event | Standing |
Findings
| Finding | |
|---|---|
| Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Flight control system-Rudder control system-Inoperative | factor |
| Personnel issues-Task performance-Inspection-Preflight inspection-Pilot | cause |