# NTSB CEN11CA282: Delf Tim Zenith CH-701, N701YB, Davenport, IA, April 12, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 12, 2011, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Davenport, IA - Coordinates: 41.610279, -90.588333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6103&lon=-90.5883&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78848 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78848/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78848 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA282 ## Probable cause The improper installation of the rudder cable to rudder pedal attachment hardware. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Delf Tim ZENITH CH-701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=05622NO), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Delf Tim ZENITH CH-701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=05622NO), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Delf Tim ZENITH CH-701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=05622NO), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Delf Tim ZENITH CH-701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05622NO), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to the flight, the pilot performed a preflight inspection, but he did not inspect the rudder pedals and rudder cable attachments. During takeoff, approximately 50 feet above ground level, the pilot felt something unusual with the left rudder pedal. The airplane immediately veered to the right, and the pilot initiated a climb in an attempt to troubleshoot the problem. Unable to determine what happened, the pilot maneuvered the airplane back to the airport. The airplane was difficult to control to the left and he determined he had to make a landing on the grass adjacent to the runway. During the landing, the airplane impacted a drainage ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the bolt/nut hardware that connected the left rudder cable to the rudder pedal had separated, and the cable became disconnected from the pedal. The nut, which is to be secured by a cotter pin, backed off of the bolt. The bolt and nut were found within the airplane. The experimental amateur-built airplane had accumulated approximately 19 hours of flight time, at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative Prior to the flight, the pilot performed a preflight inspection, but he did not inspect the rudder pedals and rudder cable attachments. During takeoff, approximately 50 feet above ground level, the pilot felt something unusual with the left rudder pedal. The airplane immediately veered to the right, and the pilot initiated a climb in an attempt to troubleshoot the problem. Unable to determine what happened, the pilot maneuvered the airplane back to the airport. The airplane was difficult to control to the left and he determined he had to make a landing on the grass adjacent to the runway. During the landing, the airplane impacted a drainage ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the bolt/nut hardware that connected the left rudder cable to the rudder pedal had separated, and the cable became disconnected from the pedal. The nut, which is to be secured by a cotter pin, backed off of the bolt. The bolt and nut were found within the airplane. The experimental amateur-built airplane had accumulated approximately 19 hours during Phase 1 at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N701YB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N701YB-2018-03-16), registration cancelled 2018-03-16, S/N 74495, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DELF TIM ZENITH CH-701 - Registry model: [Delf Tim ZENITH CH-701](https://openairdocs.org/model/delf-tim-zenith-ch-701) (registry code 05622NO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 74495 - Airframe hours: 19 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Delf Tim - Registered owner: Delf Tim - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 11, 2011 - Departed: DVN, Davenport, IA - Destination: DVN, Davenport, IA - Airport: DVN, Davenport Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 24 in this make and model, 1,090 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 20110412004929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110412004929A), Apr 12, 2011: Delf Tim ZENITH CH-701, Davenport, IA, Substantial damage. On April 12, 2011, at approximately 1730 CDT, an experimental amateur-built (model zenith CH-701) crashed just west of rwy 15 at the Davenport, Iowa municipal… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78848. 354 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 354 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347150&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.