# NTSB ATL89LA101: Champion 7KCAB, N12208, Steubenville, OH, March 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1989, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Steubenville, OH
- Coordinates: 40.359321, -80.640068 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3593&lon=-80.6401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7996
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7996/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA101

## Probable cause

THE RUDDER CONTROL CABLE FAILED WHICH RENDERED THE CONTROL SURFACE INOPERATIVE. THE LOSS OF RUDDER PRECLUDED THE PILOT FROM MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LANDING.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - flt control syst,rudder control cable/rod - failure,total (cause)
  - flt control syst,rudder control cable/rod - undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING AEROBATIC FLIGHT, THE PILOT LOST COMPLETE RUDDER CONTROL WHEN THE CONTROL CABLE FAILED. THE PILOT MANAGED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND LAND; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER TOUCHDOWN. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE RUDDER CONTROL CABLE HAD FAILED. THE FRACTURE FACES ON MOST STRANDS RESEMBLED A FAILURE RESULTING FROM AN ELECTRICAL ARC. THERE WERE TWO INSPECTION PANELS IN THE VICINITY OF THE FAILED CABLE. THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE CABLE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12208](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12208), registered now, S/N 300-72, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7kcab) (registry code 1220701) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 300-72
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary A. Bates
- Registered owner: Geary A Bates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Departed: 2G2, WINTERSVILLE, OH
- Airport: 2G2, Jefferson County Airpark, runway 31, 3,310 × 35 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,455 total, 50 in this make and model, 2,343 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HLG

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890311003889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890311003889A), Mar 11, 1989: Bbavia 7KCAB, Steubenville, OH, Substantial damage. Rudder cable broke while demonstrating a spin. Lost direction control on landing. Left the runway into nearby trees

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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