# NTSB BFO92LA143: Grumman AA-1A, N6445L, Bedford, MA, September 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1992, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Bedford, MA
- Location: 42.4699° N, 71.2890° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAURENCE G HANSCOM FLD (BED), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4699&lon=-71.2890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 72-06-02](https://openairdocs.org/ad/72-06-02) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11852
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11852/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA143

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION WHICH FAILED TO REVEAL A DETERIORATED RUDDER CABLE WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED AND CAUSED LOSS OF 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 - initial climb
  - flt control syst,rudder control cable/rod - fatigue (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON TAKEOFF AND HE HAD JUST LIFTED OFF WHEN HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  THE AIRPLANE ROLLED RIGHT AND THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE ABRUPTLY LOST RUDDER AUTHORITY. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND AND CAME TO REST INVERTED.  A 10 KNOT QUARTERING TAILWIND EXISTED DURING THE TAKEOFF. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THE RUDDER CABLE SEPARATED AT THE FUSELAGE PULLEY. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED EXTENSIVE FATIGUE CRACKING IN THE INDIVIDUAL WIRES. A REVIEW OF MAINTENANCE RECORDS REVEALED AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 72-06-02 REQUIRED RECURRENT INSPECTION OF THE RUDDER CABLE EVERY 100 HOURS. A REVIEW OF MAINTENANCE RECORDS SHOWS COMPLIANCE WITH THE AD AT THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE AIRPLANE WAS OPERATED ABOUT 65 HOURS SINCE THE INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6445L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6445L-1994-03-17), registration cancelled 1994-03-17, S/N AA1A0445 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-1A
- Registry model: [American AA-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1a) (registry code 0630710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1A-0445
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E26 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Martill Inc.
- Registered owner: Martill Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1992
- Destination: 6B6, STOW, MA
- Airport: BED, Hanscom Field, runway 29, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,235 total, 100 in this make and model, 2,047 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BED, 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 19920924038509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920924038509A), Sep 24, 1992: Gulstm AA1A, Bedford, MA, Substantial damage. Lost rudder control on liftoff. Wing hit runway. Aircraft cartwheeled. Fatigued rudder cable broke. A d on cable.

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.