Probable cause
The failure of the rudder pedal which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the aircraft.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during the landing roll the right rudder pedal welds failed. The airplane turned to the left into the wind and departed the left side of the runway. Because he had no right rudder or right brake authority, the pilot applied left rudder and brake in order to avoid a ditch which paralleled the runway. The right main gear collapsed and the firewall was damaged. Inspection of the airplane revealed the left seat, right rudder pedal had failed. The rudder pedals were tubular and the upper welds where the vertical tubes are connected to the cross-member had failed.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09LA463 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 25, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Oshkosh, Wisconsin
- Nearest airport
- Witman Regional Airport (OSH)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built RV-6
- N-number
- N56SP
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.