# NTSB FTW00LA230: Aeronca 65-CA, N33783, Liberty Hill, TX, August 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 2000, 19:30 local (Aug 14, 2000, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Liberty Hill, TX - Coordinates: 30.659675, -97.92015 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6597&lon=-97.9202&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49985 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49985/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA230 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadvertent activation of the left rudder control, which resulted in a loss of control while in cruise flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - rudder - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During cruise flight, the pilot felt a bump and the airplane began a level turn to the left. He applied right rudder; however, the airplane continued to turn left. The pilot further reported that the airplane went under some wires prior to impacting trees. Flight control continuity was established to all flight controls; however, the tab where the left rudder cable attaches to the torque tube arm for the left rudder pedal was found damaged. The torque tube arm was located just inside of where the pilot's right foot would rest. The pilot stated that he "placed his right foot on the [left rudder] torque tube arm and not on the right rudder. This caused the start of the left yaw. I then pushed hard on the torque tube arm and this caused the [airplane] to flat spin to the left, spin recovery did not occur because I was holding the left rudder all the way to the ground." ## Factual narrative On August 13, 2000, at 1930 central daylight time, an Aeronca 65-CA single-engine airplane, N33783, was substantially damaged during impact with trees and terrain following a loss of control in cruise flight near Liberty Hill, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Sunrise Beach Village, Texas, at 1830. The pilot reported to FAA inspectors, who responded to the accident site, that during cruise flight, he felt a bump and the airplane began a level turn to the left. He applied right rudder; however, the airplane continued to turn left. The pilot further reported that the airplane went under some wires prior to impacting trees. A witness reported to the FAA inspectors that he observed two airplanes flying toward him at about 300-500 feet agl. The airplane on the left side made a "sudden flat left turn" and descended from view behind some trees. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that the left wing tip was damaged, and the right main landing gear was folded under the fuselage. The right wing's spars were damaged, and the pilot's seat structure was torn loose. Flight control continuity was established to all flight controls; however, the tab where the left rudder cable attaches to the torque tube arm for the left rudder pedal was found damaged. The torque tube arm was located just inside of where the pilot's right foot would rest. The pilot stated that he "placed his right foot on the [left rudder] torque tube arm and not on the right rudder. This caused the start of the left yaw. I then pushed hard on the torque tube arm and this caused the [airplane] to flat spin to the left, spin recovery did not occur because I was holding the left rudder all the way to the ground." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33783](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33783), registered now, S/N CA-13531, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 65-CA - Registry model: [Aeronca 65-CA](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-ca) (registry code 0190922) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CA-13531 - Airframe hours: 3020 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David M. Scuetzeberg - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2000, 20 hours before - Departed: 2KL, SUNRISE BEACH, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,700 total, 108 in this make and model, 2,568 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 212 °F ## 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 20000813007629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000813007629A), Aug 13, 2000: Trytek 65CA, Liberty Hill, TX, No damage. (-23) On August 13, 2000, at 1930 CDT, an Aeronca 65-CA was substantially damaged by impacting trees and terrain near Liberty Hill, Texas. The pilol stated… 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.