# NTSB CEN11LA542: T&T Falcon LS, N785TT, Lee's Summit, MO, August 1, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 2011, 21:00 local (Aug 1, 2011, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Lee's Summit, MO - Coordinates: 38.95972, -94.371391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9597&lon=-94.3714&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA -- Kansas City Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 81380 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA542 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81380/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81380 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA542 ## Probable cause A binding condition in the left rudder cable which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing. ## 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 · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [T&T FALCON LS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=060005D), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [T&T FALCON LS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=060005D), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333); cases with it: [T&T FALCON LS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=060005D), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [T&T FALCON LS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=060005D), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [T&T FALCON LS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=060005D), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [T&T FALCON LS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060005D), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [T&T FALCON LS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=060005D), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, when the nose landing gear touched down, the airplane veered to the left and departed the runway pavement. The pilot's efforts to maintain control were not effective, and the airplane struck several runway signs before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage, and the nose landing gear collapsed during the accident sequence. A postaccident examination revealed a binding condition in the rudder cables. Deflection of the rudder to the right required a nominal force; however, centering the rudder from a right deflection required substantial force. The rudder tended to suddenly release and go hard left when the binding was overcome. Further investigation identified an approximate 10-degree bend near the forward end of the left Teleflex rudder cable. The airplane manufacturer stated they intended to remove the sleeved (Teleflex) cables and incorporate standard aircraft cables on all future production airplanes. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 2011, about 2100 central daylight time, a T & T Aviation Falcon LS experimental, light sport airplane, N785TT, veered to the left and departed the runway pavement on landing at Lee's Summit Municipal Airport (LXT), Lee's Summit, Missouri. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The nose landing gear collapsed during the accident sequence. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Renegade Light Sport LLC. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from Portage Municipal Airport (C47), Portage, Wisconsin, about 1700. The intended destination was LXT. The pilot reported that the landing touchdown was normal on the main landing gear. However, when the nose landing gear touched down, the airplane veered to the left. The airplane departed the runway pavement and subsequently struck 3 runway/taxiway signs. The pilot stated that his efforts to maintain control were not effective. The airplane crossed an adjacent taxiway, before coming to rest in a grass area. The pilot noted that there were no problems with the takeoff or flight prior to the landing. A postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies related to the nose wheel steering; however, binding of the rudder cables was observed. The left Teleflex rudder cable was bent approximately 10 degrees near the forward end. Binding was noted when the rudder was centered from right deflection. Deflecting the rudder to the right required approximately 10 lbs. of force. Although, centering the rudder from right deflection required about 40 lbs. of force. The rudder tended to suddenly release and go hard left when the binding was overcome. Rudder deflection to the left was normal with no binding. The airplane manufacturer stated they will be removing the Teleflex cables and incorporating standard aircraft cables in all future production airplanes. One airplane has been sold privately at the time of this report. The owner of that airplane will have the option of replacing the Teleflex cables with standard cables, as well. Teleflex cables are constructed with a sleeve surrounding the center cable. On installation, the sleeve is secured to a bulkhead or fitting, providing an anchor point for the cable assembly. The center cable slides within the sleeve when actuated, in this case to control the rudder. The accident airplane was initially issued a Special-Production Flight Test airworthiness certificate on March 30, 2009. A Special-Light Sport airworthiness certificate was issued on April 16, 2009, and subsequently re-issued on July 24, 2009, with revised operating limitations. A Special-Experimental Light Sport airworthiness certificate was issued on June 25, 2010. This airworthiness certificate was in effect at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N785TT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N785TT-2018-03-29), registration cancelled 2018-03-29, S/N CA-05-007, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: T&T AVIATION INC FALCON LS - Registry model: [T&T FALCON LS](https://openairdocs.org/model/t-t-falcon-ls) (registry code 060005D) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O235N2C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o235n2c) (registry code 42166, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CA-05-007 - Airframe hours: 225 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Renegade Light Sport LLC - Registered owner: Renegade Light Sport LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 2011 - Departed: C47, Portage, WI - Destination: LXT, Lee's Summit, MO - Airport: LXT, Lee's Summit Municipal, runway 18, 4,016 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 12, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 815 total, 9 in this make and model, 758 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 70° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: LXT ## 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 20110731017569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110731017569A), Jul 31, 2011: T&T Aviation Inc FALCON LS, Lee'S Summit, MO, Substantial damage. The pilot was unable to maintain runway heading while rolling out on runway 18. The aircraft departed the runway to the left, struck runway edge lights and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 4, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81380. 324 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 263 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354869&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Conversation Record -- Airplane Manufacturer (item 2, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354881&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20--%20Airplane%20Manufacturer-Master.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.