On 4 Jul 2012, a PIPER PA-12 operated by JOHNSON JAMES F was involved in an aviation accident near Stevensville, MT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the nicopress fitting on the left rudder control cable, which allowed the cable to become disconnected from the rudder bellcrank. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A tailwheel airplane veered right during landing roll and ground looped after the left rudder control cable disconnected due to a failed nicopress fitting, damaging the left wingtip and aileron.
Accident Details
The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, the aircraft suddenly veered to the right. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane continued to veer right and subsequently ground looped. The ground loop resulted in structural damage to the left wingtip and aileron.
Examination Findings
A post-incident examination conducted by the pilot revealed that the nicopress fitting on the left rudder control cable had failed. This failure allowed the cable to become disconnected from the rudder bellcrank. No additional preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation were reported.
Probable cause
Failure of the nicopress fitting on the left rudder control cable, which allowed the cable to become disconnected from the rudder bellcrank.
Contributing factors
Rudder control system — FailureAttain/maintain not possible
Related events
Same aircraft family
28 Mar 2026 — PIPER PA-12 (NINER ONE AVIATION LLC)