Casualties unknown

1992-03-01: Thorpe T-18 (N48DD) — Gordon Hall — Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque, NM, US

On March 1, 1992, a Thorpe T-18 (registration N48DD) operated by Gordon Hall was involved in an aviation accident near Albuquerque, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A FAILURE OF THE RUDDER CONTROL SYSTEM WHEN THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT FOR AN INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP DURING LANDING ROLL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During landing roll, pilot inadvertently entered ground loop. Rudder input caused mixing unit shift and jam, fracturing left rudder pedal. Wing struck ground, causing substantial left wing damage.

Summary

The accident occurred during the landing roll when the pilot inadvertently entered a ground loop. The pilot applied rudder input to correct the ground loop. The rudder control mixing unit in the empennage then shifted and jammed the rudder. Continued pressure on the rudder pedals by the pilot fractured the left rudder pedal at the crossover bar. Subsequently, the aircraft's wing struck the ground, causing substantial damage to the left wing.

Sequence of Events

The aircraft was in the landing roll phase when the pilot inadvertently entered a ground loop. To correct the ground loop, the pilot applied rudder input. The rudder control mixing unit, located in the empennage, shifted during this input, jamming the rudder. The pilot continued to apply pressure on the rudder pedals, which ultimately caused the left rudder pedal to fracture at the crossover bar. Following these events, the aircraft's wing struck the ground.

Damage

The left wing sustained substantial damage due to striking the ground during the evolution.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X14274. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.