# NTSB ATL96LA120: Great Lakes GL2T-1A-2, N47L, Montgomery, AL, August 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 17, 1996, 15:17 local (20:17 UTC) - Place: Montgomery, AL - Coordinates: 32.339828, -86.400306 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3398&lon=-86.4003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3753 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3753/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA120 ## Probable cause The locked rudder in a fully deflected position which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - flight control,rudder - binding(mechanical) (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - runway light - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis During takeoff, the airplane swerved abruptly to the left, collided with a runway light, then nosed over. During the postaccident examination, it was discovered that the tail steering arm would intermittently lock the rudder in a fully deflected position, with the trailing edge to the left, while allowing the tail wheel to remain aligned with the airplane centerline. Damage to the airplane, such as scuffing of the circumference of the right tire outboard side wall, and no flat spots on the left tire from a locked brake, was consistent with a fully deflected rudder at the time the tail was lifted for the takeoff. The deflected rudder would result in an abrupt swerve to the left when the tail wheel broke contact with the runway. Additionally, the airplane departed the runway about 350 feet from the point the takeoff was initiated, indicating that the swerve commenced about the point the tail would come up during takeoff roll. ## Factual narrative On August 17, 1996, at 1517 central daylight time, a Great Lakes GL2T-1A-2, N47L was substantially damaged following an aborted takeoff and nose over at Montgomery, Alabama. The commercial pilot was not injured in the accident, and the airplane received substantial damage. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight was departing at the time of the accident. The pilot indicated he was on takeoff roll when the airplane began to veer left. He applied right brake and rudder with little affect. The airplane ran off the runway to the left, collided with a runway positioning light, damaged the left landing gear, and nosed over onto it's back. The airplane came to rest 350 feet down from the end of the runway, and 150 feet left of the runway centerline. A mechanic examined the airplane following the accident. He reported that the left tire did not exhibit any flat spots or scuffing. The right tire exhibited severe scuffing on the outboard sidewall around its circumference. He discovered a skid mark on the runway that matched the scuffing on the right tire. There was continuity of the rudder control system. He also discovered that the tail steering arm could be locked, intermittently, into a full left position holding the rudder deflected fully, while the tail wheel remained aligned with the airplane centerline. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N47L), registered now, S/N 0770, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Great Lakes GL2T-1A-2 - Registry model: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/great-lakes-2t-1a-2) (registry code 3910101) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0770 - Airframe hours: 784 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-B1G6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Norman F. Mccowin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1996, 55 hours before - Departed: KMGM - Destination: NONE, CHAPMAN, AL - Airport: MGM, Dannelly, runway 21, 4,010 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 12,590 total, 574 in this make and model, 11,934 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KMG, 1 nm away ## 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 19960817023109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960817023109A), Aug 17, 1996: Grtlks 2T1A2, Montgomery, AL, Substantial damage. Veered left on takeoff roll. Exited runway. Nosed over. Tailwheel locked in full left position. 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. --- 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.