On May 18, 1986, a Cessna 414A (registration N414NY) operated by East Coast Airways,ltd was involved in an aviation accident near Atlantic City, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The leftside VOR indicator had loosened from its mounting clamp on the instrument panel and was laying against the control wheel tube, behind the instrument panel, limiting the control wheel to 2.5 inches of rearward travel. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a ground run at 95 knots, the pilot found the control wheel restricted to about 2 inches of rearward travel. The takeoff was aborted at 105 knots but the aircraft overran the runway and struck an occupied car. Investigation revealed a loose VOR indicator obstructing the control wheel tube.
Introduction
An aircraft conducting a ground run experienced a control wheel restriction, leading to a rejected takeoff and subsequent runway excursion. The aircraft exited the runway and collided with an occupied car on a nearby street.
Circumstances
During the ground run, at a speed of 95 knots, the pilot attempted to lift off by pulling the control wheel back. The pilot reported that the control wheel would not move rearward more than about 2 inches, which is less than half the normal full aft travel. The aircraft continued to accelerate to approximately 105 knots and had covered more than half of the runway length when the pilot aborted the takeoff. The pilot was unable to stop the aircraft on the remaining runway, and it departed the runway surface. Subsequently, the aircraft struck a car that was occupied and located on a nearby street.
Investigation Findings
Examination after the incident revealed that the leftside VOR indicator had loosened from its mounting clamp on the instrument panel. The indicator was found laying against the control wheel tube behind the instrument panel, physically limiting the rearward travel of the control wheel to approximately 2.5 inches. The pilot stated that he had removed the control lock before engine start and performed a flight control check prior to beginning the ground run.
Probable cause
The leftside VOR indicator had loosened from its mounting clamp on the instrument panel and was laying against the control wheel tube, behind the instrument panel, limiting the control wheel to 2.5 inches of rearward travel.