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NTSB Report
July 1, 1990 · Oo-Culley Osprey · N176
Iron Mountain, MI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 1, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Iron Mountain, MI
Aircraft
Oo-Culley Osprey
Tail Number
N176
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI90DEM05
WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE ENTER A SHALLOW LEFT BANK SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THEY STATED THE BANK GRADUALLY INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 DEGREES AT WHICH TIME THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A DESCENDING SPIRAL UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A RIVER. THE PILOT REPORTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE RUDDER CONTROLS AND AIRSPEED INDICATOR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RUDDER CONTROLS PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT. POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED DUCT TAPE ON THE FLIGHT CONTROL CABLES. THE RUDDER CONTROL CABLE HAD SLIPPED OFF IT'S PULLEY AND JAMMED BETWEEN THE PULLEY AND THE PULLEY SUPPORT BRACKET.
NTSB Probable Cause
JAMMING OF THE RUDDER CABLE BETWEEN THE PULLEY AND THE PULLEY SUPPORT BRACKET AND THE PILOT'S CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE ENTER A SHALLOW LEFT BANK SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THEY STATED THE BANK GRADUALLY INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 DEGREES AT WHICH TIME THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A DESCENDING SPIRAL UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A RIVER. THE PILOT REPORTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE RUDDER CONTROLS AND AIRSPEED INDICATOR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RUDDER CONTROLS PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT. POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED DUCT TAPE ON THE FLIGHT CONTROL CABLES. THE RUDDER CONTROL CABLE HAD SLIPPED OFF IT'S PULLEY AND JAMMED BETWEEN THE PULLEY AND THE PULLEY SUPPORT BRACKET.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 CDT
Nearest Airport2nm NNW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftOo-Culley Osprey
Tail NumberN176
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290 · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:45
Weather SourceWFAC