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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 30, 2005 · Bellanca 7GCBC · N113AW

Longmont, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 30, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Longmont, CO
Aircraft
Bellanca 7GCBC
Tail Number
N113AW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN05LA150

According to the flight instructor, during the landing roll the student attempted to correct the airplane from drifting to the right by applying left rudder. The rudder input was unresponsive and the airplane continued to drift to the right and departed the runway. The airplane looped to the right and came to rest on the right side of runway, causing substantial damage. Examination of the airplane revealed the left rudder cable failed. Detailed optical examination of the fractured individual wire ends and strands adjacent to the fracture revealed significant wear damage. Examination of the left side of the fuselage at the cable separation point revealed wear marks on the upper, outboard seatback support bar. The seat was removed from the airplane revealing the seat frame had been repaired on the left side. The weld extended the seatback support bar down and aft, preventing it from lining up with the lower seat support bar. This extension entered the travel path of the left rudder cable. An examination of the remaining airplane systems revealed no anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the left rudder cable resulting in a loss of directional control by the pilot. Contributing to the accident was the improper repair procedures on the seat frame.

Full Narrative

On September 30, 2005, approximately 1130 mountain daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N113AW, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during the landing roll at Vance Brand Airport (2V2), Longmont, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The instructional flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot and airline transport certificated flight instructor reported no injuries. The local flight departed approximately 1100. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the flight instructor, he and his student were performing touch-and-go landings on runway 26. The instructor stated the last landing was planned as a full stop. He stated that the touch down was good and the airplane was aligned with the runway. During the landing roll, the student attempted to correct the airplane from drifting to the right by applying left rudder. The rudder input was unresponsive and the airplane continued to drift to the right and departed the runway. The airplane looped to the right and came to rest on the right side of runway 26. The left main wing spar was broken, the left landing gear strut was bent aft, and the left rudder cable had separated at its midspan. Two pieces of the left rudder cable with the mating sides of the fracture were sent to the NTSB, Office of Research and Engineering, Materials Laboratory Division, for further examination. Detailed optical examination of the fractured individual wire ends and strands adjacent to the fracture revealed significant wear damage. Many of the individual wires were worn to a knife-edge adjacent to the fracture. Wear had penetrated to the center portion of the center strand. Examination of the left side of the fuselage at the cable separation point, conducted by NTSB and FAA, revealed wear marks on the upper, outboard seatback support bar. The seat was removed from the airplane which revealed the seat frame had been repaired on the left side. The weld extended the seatback support bar down and aft, preventing it from lining up with the lower seat support bar. This extension entered the travel path of the left rudder cable. The airplane logbooks contained no entry regarding the maintenance performed on the seat frame. Neither the flight instructor nor airplane mechanic could recall the seat maintenance being performed within the last 2 years. An examination of the remaining airplane systems revealed no anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 MDT
Nearest AirportVance Brand (1nm)
Runway11
Runway Length4800 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7GCBC
Tail NumberN113AW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A213 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 65 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 31 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 C
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time17:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data