# NTSB ERA11CA375: Temco GC-1B, N106S, Sparta, TN, July 2, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 2, 2011, 10:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Sparta, TN - Coordinates: 36.053611, -85.525001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0536&lon=-85.5250&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 October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Nashville FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 80958 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA375 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80958/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80958 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA375 ## Probable cause The improper installation of the right rudder control cable by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## 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 · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Temco GC-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=9230108), [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: [Temco GC-1B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9230108), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Temco GC-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=9230108), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Temco GC-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=9230108), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Temco GC-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=9230108), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Temco GC-1B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9230108), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Temco GC-1B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9230108), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, he was unable to correct an uncommanded left yaw with control inputs, so he elected to abort the takeoff. During rollout, the airplane departed the left side of the runway and the landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing spar. A postaccident examination revealed that a "nicopress" fitting on the left rudder cable had failed and disconnected from its bell-crank. The cable fitting had been pressed with an improper tool or technique at installation. The airplane's entire flight control system had been refitted and re-rigged approximately 9 years prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative During the takeoff roll, an uncommanded left yaw could not be corrected with control inputs, so the pilot elected to abort the takeoff. During rollout, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, and the landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing spar. Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that a "nicopress" fitting on the right rudder cable had failed, and disconnected from its bell-crank. According to the Inspector, the cable fitting had been pressed with an improper tool or technique at installation. The airplane's entire flight control system was refitted and re-rigged approximately 9 years prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N106S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N106S-2018-01-02), registration cancelled 2018-01-02, S/N 2221, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TEMCO GC-1B - Registry model: [Temco GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/temco-gc-1b) (registry code 9230108) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C125 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c125-series) (registry code 17011, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2221 - Airframe hours: 1800 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C145 SERIES 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 2011 - Departed: SRB, Sparta, TN - Destination: SRB, Sparta, TN - Airport: SRB, Upper Cumberland Regional, runway 22, 6,005 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,047 total, 361 in this make and model, 1,027 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KCSV, 23 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 20110702011509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110702011509A), Jul 2, 2011: Temco GC-1B, Sparta, TN, Substantial damage. Right rudder cable copper oval sleeve stock failed, causing loss of rudder effectiveness. Directional control was lost, and aircraft departed runway at angle… ## Other investigations on N106S (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA12LA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA318), Apr 29, 2012: Temco GC-1B (N106S), Dayton, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power during low-altitude maneuvers for reasons that could not be determined because the engine examination did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80958. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 537 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351401&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350815&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351089&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Crossville Tennessee (CSV) Meteorological Conditions (item 4, .PDF, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350816&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Crossville%20Tennessee%20(CSV)%20Meteorological%20Conditions-Master.PDF - Excerpts from Aircraft LogBook (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 843 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351286&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Aircraft%20LogBook%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Rudder Cable (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 359 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350859&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Rudder%20Cable%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Overview of Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 978 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350818&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Overview%20of%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.