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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 25, 1988 · Pezetel PZL-M-18 · N4226V

Cheneyville, LA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 25, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cheneyville, LA
Aircraft
Pezetel PZL-M-18
Tail Number
N4226V
Operator
Vaughn Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW88LA093

THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRFT SEEMED EXTREMELY TAIL-HEAVY AND THAT HE USED 'BOTH FEET AND ONE ARM' TO HOLD FORWARD STICK. HE SAID THE AIRCRAFT WAS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE IN PITCH AND DISPLAYED A RIGHT TURNING TENDENDCY. THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT, ATTEMPTING TO LAND DOWNWIND ON THE TAKEOFF RUNWAY. HE REDUCED POWER AT 100 FEET AGL AND THE RIGHT WING HIT THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD RUDDER FAILURE PROBLEMS IN FLIGHT BUT WERE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE UPPER 1/3 OF THE RUDDER WAS BENT 45 DEGREES TO THE LEFT.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRFT SEEMED EXTREMELY TAIL-HEAVY AND THAT HE USED 'BOTH FEET AND ONE ARM' TO HOLD FORWARD STICK. HE SAID THE AIRCRAFT WAS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE IN PITCH AND DISPLAYED A RIGHT TURNING TENDENDCY. THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT, ATTEMPTING TO LAND DOWNWIND ON THE TAKEOFF RUNWAY. HE REDUCED POWER AT 100 FEET AGL AND THE RIGHT WING HIT THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD RUDDER FAILURE PROBLEMS IN FLIGHT BUT WERE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE UPPER 1/3 OF THE RUDDER WAS BENT 45 DEGREES TO THE LEFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 CDT
Nearest AirportCheneyville (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width65 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPezetel PZL-M-18
Tail NumberN4226V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorVaughn Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPzl-Kalisz · ASZ-61IR · Reciprocating · 1000
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind235° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data