# Rudder control system - Type: NTSB finding subsection - Path: [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01) › [Aircraft systems](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0102) › [Flight control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010227) › Rudder control system - NTSB code: 01022720 - Cases: 93 - In the probable cause: 80 - Fatal cases: 6 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 7 / 9 - 2009: 5 / 6 - 2010: 3 / 3 - 2011: 5 / 5 - 2012: 5 / 6 - 2013: 6 / 7 - 2014: 6 / 6 - 2015: 0 / 2 - 2016: 4 / 4 - 2017: 7 / 7 - 2018: 5 / 6 - 2019: 8 / 8 - 2020: 4 / 5 - 2021: 5 / 6 - 2022: 4 / 6 - 2023: 4 / 5 - 2024: 2 / 2 ## Defining events in these cases - [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 32 cases - [Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333): 24 cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 15 cases - [Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330): 13 cases - [Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300): 3 cases - [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 2 cases - [Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338): 1 cases - [Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337): 1 cases - [Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220): 1 cases - [Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000): 1 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Cessna 560XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-560xl): 3 cases - [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152): 3 cases - [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a): 2 cases - [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 2 cases - [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260): 2 cases - [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150): 2 cases - [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 2 cases - [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j): 2 cases - [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s): 2 cases - [Cessna 140A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140a): 2 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020) (Aircraft): 41 cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 33 cases - [Use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015) (Personnel issues): 13 cases - [Not determined, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000) (Not determined): 6 cases - [Scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010) (Personnel issues): 6 cases - [Delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025) (Personnel issues): 6 cases - [Crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040) (Environmental issues): 5 cases - [Installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035) (Personnel issues): 5 cases - [Preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510) (Personnel issues): 5 cases - [Yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024) (Aircraft): 5 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB CEN25LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA043), Nov 17, 2024: Pitts S1E (N52B), Seguin, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper construction of the rudder cable assembly by the airplane builder, which resulted in the fatigue failure of the left rudder cable during the landing roll and the pilot’s subsequent… - [NTSB DCA24LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA24LA094), Feb 6, 2024: Boeing 737-8 (N47280), Newark, NJ, incident, no damage. Probable cause: Moisture intrusion through the pressure port inlet of the rudder rollout guidance actuator that accumulated and froze during flight at altitude, resulting in jammed rudder pedal movement. - [NTSB CEN23LA425](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA425), Sep 28, 2023: Air Tractor AT-802 (N445HA), Herington, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The design of the spray valve control lever, which restricted the range of the left rear rudder and brake pedal and resulted in a loss of control during landing. - [NTSB WPR23LA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA269), Jun 1, 2023: CSP Leasing MTO Sport (N207AG), Gardiner, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the rudder/nosewheel steering system for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in loss of yaw control and a subsequent rollover. - [NTSB CEN23LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA211), May 31, 2023: W10 Tailwind (N456TW), Penrose, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the right rudder pedal stop due to an inadequate weld, which resulted in a loss of control on the ground. - [NTSB ERA23LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA245), May 25, 2023: Piper PA-25-260 (N454AB), Hollywood, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper banner pickup approach, which resulted in the banner tow hook contacting the airplane, and the subsequent overload separation of the right rudder control horn, resulting in a… - [NTSB CEN23LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA170), Apr 30, 2023: Luscombe 8F (N1113B), Palmer, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The installation of an unapproved rudder control cable, which resulted in a fatigue failure and subsequent loss of rudder control during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s… - [NTSB ERA23LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA167), Oct 24, 2022: Champion 7FC (N6ND), Winter Haven, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to properly secure the rear seat headset, resulting in an obstruction of the airplane’s rudder controls. - [NTSB ERA22LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA358), Jul 28, 2022: Cessna 207 (N6908M), Dillingham, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: Maintenance personnel’s failure to detect and correct improper rudder control system alignment, the resulting interference with the pulley’s rotation, and the accelerated corrosion and wear of the… - [NTSB CEN22LA302](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA302), Jul 1, 2022: Pitts S1 (N23RS), Sturgeon Bay, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose over. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and… NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted. Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1). NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.