Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Little Rock, Arkansas
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
http://registry.faa.gov/N6215P
Accident Number: CEN18LA211
Date & Time: 05/31/2018, 1115 CDT
Registration: N6215P
Aircraft: THRUSH AIRCRAFT INC S2R-H80
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural
Analysis
The commercial pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll for the agricultural application flight, the right rudder pedal went full forward against the material hopper and that he subsequently could not maintain directional control of the airplane. The airplane subsequently exited the left side of the runway and struck a ditch.
Examination of the airplane revealed that the right rudder pedal had become detached from the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism due to wear on the adjustment track. The Before Starting Engine checklist included a step to adjust and lock the rudder pedals before starting the engine; however, the condition of the rudder system indicated that the airplane had been operated with the rudder pedal forward of the final detent position and against the safety stop rather than in a locked detent position for an undetermined amount of time. The improper adjustment and locking of the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism over time likely led to the excessive wear on the rudder pedal adjustment track, the detachment of the rudder pedal, and the pilot’s subsequent inability to maintain directional control. After the accident, the airplane manufacturer released a service letter detailing the proper use, rigging, and maintenance of the rudder system, including the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The improper operation of the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism for an undetermined period of time, which led to the failure of the rudder pedal adjustment track, the detachment of the rudder pedal, and the pilot’s subsequent inability to maintain directional control.
Findings
Aircraft
Rudder control system - Failure (Cause)
Rudder control system - Incorrect use/operation (Cause)
Environmental issues
Sloped/uneven terrain - Contributed to outcome
Factual Information
On May 31, 2018, about 1115 central daylight time, a Thrush Aircraft S2R-H80, N6215P, received substantial damage during a runway excursion during takeoff on runway 18 from a private airstrip near Parkin, Arkansas. The pilot was not injured. The aircraft was registered to Mid Continent Aircraft Corp and operated by Air Aids, Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll the right rudder pedal went all the way forward. Since the airplane was equipped with toe-brakes, once the pedal was all the way forward against the material hopper, he had no way to maintain directional control of the airplane. The pilot attempted to stop the airplane using reverse pitch on the propeller, but the airplane went off the east side of the runway and struck a ditch.
Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed that the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism consisted of a track that allowed the rudder pedal shaft to move fore and aft, with a detent pin that engaged holes in the track. The track was equipped with a safety stop bolt to prevent the rudder pedal shaft from travelling too far forward and exiting the end of the track. The track assembly for both the left and right rudder pedal showed wear on the track and the stop bolt installed forward of the most forward detent position. The right adjustment track had a semi-circular section worn completely through that matched the shape of the rudder shaft. This was consistent with the rudder shaft being stopped by the stop bolt rather than being locked in the forward detent position. Determination of how long the rudder system had been used in this manner could not be determined.
The "Before Starting Engines" checklist current at the time of the accident contained the instruction "Rudder Pedals – ADJUST and LOCK".
Review of the airplane maintenance records showed that the airplane had accumulated 991 hours time in service as of its most recent annual inspection dated December 29, 2017.
The airplane manufacturer released a Service Letter, SL-AG-126, on June 11, 2018, entitled "Rudder Pedal Mechanism Inspection", detailing proper use, rigging, and maintenance of the rudder system, including the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism.
History of Flight
Takeoff
Miscellaneous/other
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Runway excursion
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 31, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/15/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 2900 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1600 hours (Total, this make and model)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: THRUSH AIRCRAFT INC
Registration: N6215P
Model/Series: S2R-H80 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted
Serial Number: H80-180DC
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/29/2017, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 10500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time: 991 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: GE Aviation Czech
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: H80-100
Registered Owner: MID CONTINENT AIRCRAFT CORP
Rated Power: 800 hp
Operator: AIR AIDS INC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137)
Operator Does Business As:
Operator Designator Code: RGOG
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: AWM, 213 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 20 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2053 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 115°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 16 knots / 25 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 190°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.82 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 33°C / 21°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Parkin, MO (PVT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Parkin, MO (PVT)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1530 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Private (PVT)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 200 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Vegetation
Runway Used: 180
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2500 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 35.243333, -90.570556
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