Incident Overview
On December 20, 2014, at approximately 1030 Alaska standard time, a Cessna 180J airplane, registration N393B, experienced a flight control anomaly shortly after takeoff. The pilot executed an emergency landing at Nome Airport in Nome, Alaska. The solo certificated private pilot was not injured. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight had departed Nome at about 1025, destined for Council, Alaska.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that approximately three seconds after takeoff, the airplane made an uncommanded hard right turn. Despite applying left rudder to correct, the airplane continued turning right. The pilot then applied nearly full left aileron, resulting in a gradual left turn. When he returned the ailerons to neutral, the airplane immediately turned right again. The pilot corrected with left aileron and performed an emergency landing on runway 28 at Nome Airport. During the landing, the airplane veered right, exited the runway, and struck a snow berm, sustaining minor damage to the landing gear.
Post-Incident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety inspector examined the airplane. The rudder control system consists of two cables running from the rudder control bar, making approximately a 90-degree turn via two phenolic pulleys to attach to the rudder bellcranks. Two cables then run from the top of the rudder bellcranks to the rudder control horn, while two tailwheel steering cables attach to the lower rudder bellcranks, make a 90-degree turn via two phenolic pulleys, and attach to the tailwheel. The inspection revealed that the right tailwheel steering cable had jumped off its pulley and became bound between the pulley and its bracket, disabling the rudder system. The pulley's guard pin was in place. The steering cable had separated approximately 9 inches from the rudder bellcrank and exhibited features consistent with overload.
Weather Conditions
The closest weather reporting facility was Nome Airport. At 1053, the weather observation reported wind calm; visibility 10 statute miles; scattered clouds at 25,000 feet; temperature 9°F; dew point 3°F; altimeter 29.30 inHg.