# Steering unit

- Type: NTSB finding subsection
- Path: [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01) › [Aircraft systems](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0102) › [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010232) › Steering unit
- NTSB code: 01023251
- Cases: 4
- In the probable cause: 3
- Fatal cases: 0
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023251/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023251/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023251

## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all)

- 2009: 0 / 1
- 2019: 2 / 2
- 2023: 1 / 1

## Defining events in these cases

- [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 2 cases
- [Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338): 1 cases
- [Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330): 1 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Piper PA-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-15): 1 cases
- [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12): 1 cases
- [North American SNJ-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-4): 1 cases
- [Champion 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab): 1 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020) (Aircraft): 3 cases
- [Not determined, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000) (Not determined): 1 cases
- [Crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040) (Environmental issues): 1 cases
- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 1 cases
- [Fasteners](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071430) (Aircraft): 1 cases
- [Performance/control parameters, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000) (Aircraft): 1 cases

## Newest cases

- [NTSB CEN23LA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA230), Jun 3, 2023: Champion 7KCAB (N5068X), Rutherfordton, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The disengagement of the tailwheel locking mechanism during the landing roll which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing with a crosswind.
- [NTSB WPR20LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA025), Nov 16, 2019: North American SNJ-4 (N694US), Heber City, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing as a result of the separated tailwheel-to-rudder link rod
- [NTSB GAA19CA376](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA376), Jun 30, 2019: Piper PA 12 (N4238M), Yakima, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The separation of the left steering spring from the tailwheel assembly during landing for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a ground loop.
- [NTSB CEN09CA548](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA548), Aug 15, 2009: Piper PA-15 (N4380H), Plainwell, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of control on takeoff for undetermined reasons.

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.

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