# NTSB CHI92DEM02: Gillespie/Pitts S1C, N71309, Freeland, MI, May 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1992, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Freeland, MI
- Coordinates: 43.519168, -84.109237 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5192&lon=-84.1092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DEM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15238/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DEM02

## Probable cause

A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE RUDDER CONTROL CABLE AND UNAVAILABILITY OF RUDDER TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE DURING ITS LANDING PROCESS.  FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND REMEDIAL ACTION NOT BEING POSSIBLE ON BEHALF OF THE PILOT.

## 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 cable/rod - failure,total (cause)
  - rudder - unavailable, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A TAIL WHEEL CONFIGURED AEROBATIC AIRPLANE HAD TOUCHED DOWN ON LANDING AND DISCOVERED THE AIRPLANE DID NOT HAVE RIGHT RUDDER PEDAL CONTROL.  THE PILOT STATED HE TOOK OFF TO TROUBLE SHOOT THE PROBLEM. DURING THE INFLIGHT INVESTIGATION HE DISCOVERED THE RIGHT RUDDER CABLE HAD SEPARATED WHERE THE CABLE RUNS THROUGH THE COCKPIT NEAR THE RIGHT SIDEWALL.  THE PILOT MADE A CABLE REPAIR SO IT WOULD ALLOW BRAKE SYSTEM OPERATION.  DURING THE SUBSEQUENT LANDING THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT AS DIRECTIONALLY CONTROLLABLE AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.  AS THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DECELERATE IT BEGAN AN UNCONTROLLABLE SWERVE WHICH RESULTED IN A LANDING GEAR COLLAPSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71309](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71309-2013-07-11), registration cancelled 2013-07-11, S/N RJ101, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GILLESPIE/PITTS S1C
- Registry model: [Gillespie Dave PITTS S1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/gillespie-dave-pitts-s1c) (registry code 722112B) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: RJ101
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dean C. Vanzwoll
- Registered owner: Brian E. Dawson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1991, 12 hours before
- Departed: 3CM, BAY CITY, MI
- Airport: MBS, Tri Cities Int'L, runway 5, 8,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,844 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,780 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBS, 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 19920506015649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920506015649A), May 6, 1992: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1C, Saginaw, MI, Substantial damage. Right rudder cable broke on first landing,continued flight. Aircraft ground looped landing. Chaffed 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.

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