The purpose of the flight was for the pilot to practice touch-and-go landings in the tailwheel-equipped, tandem-seat Champion 7FC.
Following nine uneventful landings at the airport in Winter Haven, Florida, while on the base leg in the traffic pattern for landing, he felt that the flight controls were “noticeably weird.”
He aborted the landing attempt and tried to maneuver the airplane away from the airport.
The pilot told investigators that the airplane would not bank to the right and was descending, despite the engine power being at 2,200 rpm.
The airplane continued in a left bank and the pilot was unable to level the wings, and despite application of aft elevator control input, he was unable to arrest the descent.
The airplane continued toward a pasture and hit the ground before hitting trees.
The airplane’s left wing sustained substantial damage during the impact.
The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He added that when he was examining the airplane after the accident, he noted that the rear seat headset had become unstowed and had “fallen onto and around” the right rear rudder pedal.
Based on this information, it is likely that the unsecured headset obstructed the movement of the rudder controls, resulting in the airplane’s uncommanded left bank.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to properly secure the rear seat headset, resulting in an obstruction of the airplane’s rudder controls.
To download the final report. Click here. This will trigger a PDF download to your device.
This October 2022 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.
I’d be interested to know if the insurance will pay for the repair or replacement of the aircraft if it is pilot error? Can any of you who have experienced that area answer this question please?
Respectfully, Ron (“in Utah”) and a fan of this website!
Could have been worse. A friend of mine, Col. Tom Love, died during aerobatic practice on the Maryland eastern shore in an uncommanded dive in a Decathlon due to the rear stick being caught in his shoulder harness. I believe that resulted in an AD Note to remove the rear stick when the rear seat isn’t occupied.
Good article. It’s the simple things that can turn into big events. It’s a good reminder to all pilots to be diligent.