This January 2008 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Quicksilver Sport 2S. Location: Arley, Ala. Injuries: None. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The float-equipped airplane lifted off from a lake. The pilot attempted to join the traffic pattern. He had just started a shallow right coordinated descending turn when he encountered a loss of resistance in his right rudder pedal. The aircraft then yawed to the right. He attempted to correct with the application of left rudder pedal, but there was no response.
The airplane began to descend in the yaw. The pilot reduced power, applied full left aileron, and full up elevator in an attempt to regain control. The airplane then hit the water in a nose-down attitude, damaging the right float, right wing and right side of the fuselage. It then spun around to the right, and came to rest on the surface of the water. The pilot and passenger exited the cabin and approximately five minutes later the airplane sank.
Probable cause: A malfunction of the rudder control system.
For more information: NTSB.gov
