- Date
- May 6, 2010, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place
- Port Moller, AK
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N3774ZPiper PA-18-150
- Defining event
- Approach-VFR pattern base: Flight control sys malf/fail
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report August 12, 2010
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Alaska Regional Office
- Parties
- FAA FSDO-01
- FAA report
- 20100506004919A
- Case key
- 76009
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The loss of the left rudder cable retaining bolt during base to final turn, resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
Findings · 1
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The private pilot was on a local passenger flight in conjunction with a wilderness lodge operating under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, when the accident occurred. The pilot said that during landing at an off-airport site he was in a left base to final turn when the left rudder became unresponsive. He said that he was able to level the wings with the ailerons just before the airplane impacted the ground. The pilot reported that the takeoff and earlier flight had been uneventful, but after the accident he and the passenger noted that the left rudder cable retaining bolt was missing. The left wing and fuselage received substantial damage during the impact with terrain. The pilot reported that the rudder cable connection is routinely inspected prior to every flight, and that prior to the accident flight no discrepancy was noted.
Factual narrative
The private pilot was on a local passenger flight in conjunction with a wilderness lodge operation operating under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The pilot said during landing at an off airport site he was in a left base to final turn when the left rudder became unresponsive. He said he was able to level the wings with the ailerons just before the airplane impacted the ground. The pilot said the takeoff and flight had been uneventful, but after the accident he and the passenger noted that the left rudder cable retaining bolt was missing. He said the left wing and fuselage received substantial damage during the impact with terrain. The pilot reported that the rudder cable connection is routinely inspected prior to every flight, and that prior to the accident flight no discrepancy was noted.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3774Z
- Reported as
- Piper PA-18-150
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18-7454
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320 SERIES, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work use · Part 91
- Operator
- Saalsaa Brad
- Registered owner
- Saalsaa Brad
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- Port Moller, AK
- Destination
- Port Moller, AK
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 51
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- August 4, 2008
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 2,700 total · 2,300 in this make and model · 2,670 as pilot in command · 30 in the last 90 days · 20 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 39 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.50 inHg
Docket · 1
The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2010, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 565 KB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N3774Z · 3
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.