A-67-024
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THUS RECOMMENDS THAT AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE BE ISSUED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A CESSNA DIRECTIVE TO EITHER REVERSE THE DIRECTION OF THE CENTERING SPRING FORCES ON THE PEDALS SO THE PILOT MAY COUNTERACT AN UNWANTED RUDDER INPUT FOLLOWING A PEDAL FAILURE OR TO RELOCATE THE CENTERING SPRINGS ELSEWHERE ALONG THE CABLE RUNS TO ALLOW FOR A SINGLE FAILURE EITHER IN THE PEDALS OR THE SPRINGS AND STILL PROVIDE REDUNDANCY TO ALLOW THE PILOT TO COUNTERACT THE FAILURE.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The FAA is urged to mandate a design change for Cessna aircraft rudder pedals to prevent them from sticking in an unintended position after a mechanical failure. This update would allow pilots to manually override the stuck pedals by either adjusting the spring tension or moving the springs to a different location on the control cables. These modifications ensure that a single point of failure does not leave the pilot unable to steer the aircraft.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Acceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Jan 1, 1975 |
| NTSB number | MKC67A0089 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).