# NTSB CHI90DEM05: Oo-Culley Osprey, N176, Iron Mountain, MI, July 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1990, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Iron Mountain, MI
- Coordinates: 45.820861, -88.060386 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8209&lon=-88.0604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14469
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEM05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14469/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEM05

## Probable cause

JAMMING OF THE RUDDER CABLE BETWEEN THE PULLEY AND THE PULLEY SUPPORT BRACKET AND THE PILOT'S CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - flt control syst,rudder control cable/rod - jammed (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE ENTER A SHALLOW LEFT BANK SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THEY STATED THE BANK GRADUALLY INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 DEGREES AT WHICH TIME THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A DESCENDING SPIRAL UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A RIVER. THE PILOT REPORTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE RUDDER CONTROLS AND AIRSPEED INDICATOR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RUDDER CONTROLS PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT. POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED DUCT TAPE ON THE FLIGHT CONTROL CABLES. THE RUDDER CONTROL CABLE HAD SLIPPED OFF IT'S PULLEY AND JAMMED BETWEEN THE PULLEY AND THE PULLEY SUPPORT BRACKET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N176](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N176-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 176 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: OO-CULLEY OSPREY
- Registry model: [Culley OSPREY](https://openairdocs.org/model/culley-osprey) (registry code 9570580) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 176
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Erickson, Conrad W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: IMT
- Destination: IMT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 180 total, 2 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IMT, 2 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 19900701042829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900701042829A), Jul 1, 1990: Amtros OSPREY2, Iron Mountain-K, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Rudder cable came off pulley,jammed rudder full left on takeoff. Stalled into river. Improper maintenance by pilot.

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.

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