# NTSB CHI01LA008: Walton RV-6, N796W, Saint Paul, MN, October 11, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 11, 2000, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Saint Paul, MN - Coordinates: 44.99073, -92.900596 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9907&lon=-92.9006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51082 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51082/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA008 ## Probable cause The rudder tube failure, and aircraft control not possible during the flare by the pilot. A factor was the service bulletin not being complied with by the mechanic during the condition inspection. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown - flt control syst,rudder control - failure (cause) - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not complied with, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain during a landing. The pilot was uninjured. The pilot stated, "... Went out to do a few landings and after rounding out and 3 ft. above runway, my right rudder pedal failed causing my airplane to yaw left, strike left wingtip and cartwheel approx. 3 times before coming to rest on its gear." An on-scene examination revealed the right rudder pedal was separated from its cross tube. The airplane's condition inspection was performed on January 21, 2000. No entries indicating the compliance with SB 99-6-1 were found. A kit manufacturer's representative stated, "I researched the method by which we distribute service bulletins and, with each bulletin, we do a direct mailing to each customer, publish the SB in the newsletter and place it on our web site. If we are notified of change of ownership, we mail to the new owner. ... The SB would have gone to [the builder]." The builder stated, "I did not receive such bulletin. Had I, I certainly would have forwarded it to [the current owner]." ## Factual narrative On October 11, 2000, about 1430 central daylight time, a Walton RV-6, N796W, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain during a landing on runway 22 (2,497 feet X 75 feet, dry/asphalt) at Lake Elmo Airport (21D) near Saint Paul, Minnesota. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot was uninjured. The local flight originated from 21D at 1425. The pilot stated, "... Went out to do a few landings and after rounding out and 3 ft. above runway, my right rudder pedal failed causing my airplane to yaw left, strike left wingtip and cartwheel approx. 3 times before coming to rest on its gear. I was able to open canopy and climb out." A Federal Aviation Administration inspector preformed an on-scene examination of the accident. The right rudder pedal was found separated from its cross tube. The airplane's logbooks were reviewed. The airplane's condition inspection was performed on January 21, 2000. No entries indicating the compliance with Van's Aircraft, Inc.'s Service Bulletin (SB) 99-6-1 were found. The SB states, "Required Action: Immediately inspect the rudder pedal assembly. If your pedal assemblies already have a gusset on the forward side of the rudder pedals/torque tube junction, no further action is necessary. If your rudder pedals do not have the gusset: - Inspect your pedals for any sign of failure. Although it is subtle, the forward side of the tube will fail first. Check with an inspection mirror for any signs of distortion (bulging or caving in) on the forward side of the torque tubes. Also, run your fingers along the joint to feel for any distortion -- many times it is easier to feel irregularities than to see them. The pilot's right rudder pedal is the most likely to fail, but please inspect all of them. Van's Aircraft, Inc. recommends a 10-hour inspection schedule on the rudder pedal torque tube; with an immediate inspection if a takeoff or landing results in high forces on the rudder pedals or if there is any "sponginess" noted in the rudder system. If you find signs of a failure, immediate replacement is required. - Owners may elect to make a permanent repair and remove the requirement for repetitive inspections. This repair may be accomplished one of two ways: 1. Van's Aircraft, Inc. will make available, free of charge, a finger patch that may be welded on the pedals. The part number for eight patches and instructions is WD-655 FPKIT. 2. For those owners not in a big hurry, the pedals may be returned to Van's for modification. PLEASE include your name, builder's number, and shipping address, and mark the outside of the box with RMA-WD-655. We expect repairs to take between two and four weeks but it may take longer. If you remove the paint around the weld area (about 4" in all directions from the joint) before sending them in, it will speed the return of your pedals." A kit manufacturer's representative stated, "I researched the method by which we distribute service bulletins and, with each bulletin, we do a direct mailing to each customer, publish the SB in the newsletter and place it on our web site. If we are notified of change of ownership, we mail to the new owner. In the case of 23066, the SB would have gone to [the builder]." The airplane builder stated, "I understand that there was a Service Bulletin 99-6-1 issued by Van's A/C on 06/30/99. Supposedly it was issued to all RV owners that Van had on record. I did not receive such bulletin. Had I, I certainly would have forwarded it to [the current owner]." The mechanic who performed the inspection on January 21, 2000, stated, "As the aircraft owner had no type specific inspection form we used an in-house checklist composed of items from various manufactures checklists and incorporating all the items from Part 43 Appendix D. In order to avoid this kind of problem I suggest the FAA or kit provider initiate an AD calling for inspections of the rudder tube welds or any other area of amateur built concern. I understand the FAA feels the manufacturer is responsible for this action (ie the kit builder). Safety should be the primary concern not bureaucratic posturing. FAR Part 39.11 clearly gives the administrator the power over prescribing inspections and limitations. Failing this, I suggest a clearing house or web site for all kit manufacturers listing any service bulletins, service difficulties, areas of concern and copies of inspection checklists. Perhaps through the EAA website. ... All the information you need may be out there but finding it is not a simple matter. Standardization between manufactures, kit providers and the government would go a long way in providing safety for all." The internet was reviewed. Service Bulletin 99-6-1 was able to be located through the http://www.vansaircraft.com internet site. ## Aircraft - Registration: N796W (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Walton RV-6 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 23066 - Airframe hours: 200 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John P. Farley - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 21, 2000, 4 hours before - Departed: 21D - Airport: 21D, Lake Elmo Airport, runway 22, 2,497 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 215 total, 132 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 158 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: STP, 10 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 20001011015909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001011015909A), Oct 11, 2000: Amtr RV6, St Paul, MN, No damage. (-23) While on approach to landing on runway 22, just prior to touchdown, the pilot's right rudder pedal broke off control tube causing pilot to add full left… 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.