Incident Overview
On April 12, 2024, at approximately 0810 central daylight time, an American Champion 7ECA airplane, registration N793L, experienced a rudder hinge failure while taxiing at East Texas Regional Airport (KGGG) in Longview, Texas. The two pilots aboard were not injured. The aircraft was conducting a training flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot's statement, during the taxi from the runway, the rudder pedals felt stiff. The flight instructor then applied full right rudder, which produced an audible "pop" sound accompanied by a sudden reduction in pedal resistance. Despite the anomaly, the pilots managed to taxi the airplane to the parking area without further incident.
Damage Examination
A preliminary inspection of the rudder system revealed that the lower hinge had fractured from the vertical spar tube. This failure resulted in substantial damage to the rudder structure. The rudder and all associated hardware were removed from the aircraft and retained for a detailed examination at a later date.
Aircraft Information
The American Champion 7ECA is a two-seat, high-wing light aircraft commonly used for flight training. The specific airplane involved, N793L, was operated by a flight school for instructional purposes at the time of the event.