Amateur-built PIETENPOL N888MG accident near Albion, New York

Probable cause

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

NTSB analysis

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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA17LA292 for the full record.