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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 9, 1994 · Pezetel M-18 Dromader M-18 DROM · N4685R

Plymouth, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 9, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Plymouth, WA
Aircraft
Pezetel M-18 Dromader M-18 DROM
Tail Number
N4685R
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA94LA175

WHILE MAKING AN AERIAL APPLICATION, THE PILOT PULLED UP AND INITIATED A LEFT TURN TO ALIGN FOR HIS NEXT RUN. WHILE ROLLING INTO THE TURN, THE PILOT APPLIED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF LEFT RUDDER. AS THE TURN PROGRESSED, THE PILOT INITIATED A DESCENT, AND ATTEMPTED TO ROLL OUT OF THE TURN. AS HE APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER, HE FOUND THAT THE RUDDER HAD JAMMED TO THE LEFT, AND BEING CLOSE TO THE GROUND, HE WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER PRIOR TO THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTING THE TERRAIN.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE RUDDER BEING JAMMED IN ALMOST THE FULL LEFT POSITION.

Full Narrative

On July 9, 1994, at 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Pezetel M- 18 Dromader, N4685R, collided with terrain while maneuvering to make a pass for aerial application on fields 8 miles west of Plymouth, Washington. The airline transport rated pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, received minor injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, as he pulled up to make a left turn, he applied considerable left rudder. As he entered the descending part of the turn, he began to roll out, and attempted to apply right rudder, but the rudder pedals were jammed in almost the full left rudder position. Being low to the ground, the pilot was unable to arrest the descending turn before the aircraft impacted the terrain. Inspection of the rudder and the rudder control system did not reveal the reason why the system jammed. The pilot was sent copies of NTSB Form 6120.1/2 on two separate occasions, but in both instances he elected not to return them.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPezetel M-18 Dromader M-18 DROM
Tail NumberN4685R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsReciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data