# NTSB LAX92LA031: Cessna T210L, N93054, Van Nuys, CA, November 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1991, 11:13 local (19:13 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Location: 34.2098° N, 118.4900° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at VAN NUYS (VNY), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2098&lon=-118.4900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA031

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT LOSS OF CONTROL DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF THAT RESULTED FROM THE COLLAPSE OF THE RUDDER PEDAL BECAUSE OF A WORN LOCKING PIN HOLE IN THE RUDDER PEDAL STOWING SYSTEM, WHICH ALLOWED THE PIN TO DISENGAGE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flt control syst,rudder control - worn
  - flt control syst,rudder control - collapsed
  - rudder - unavailable
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES AT THE AIRPORT STATED THAT JUST AFTER THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF RUNWAY 16R, IT IMMEDIATELY BEGAN A VERY TIGHT 360 DEGREE TURN AND CRASHED BETWEEN RUNWAY 16L AND THE ADJACENT TAXIWAY. THE PILOT STATED TO FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) INSPECTORS THAT, AFTER LIFTOFF, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TURNING TO THE LEFT AND TRYING TO DIVE AND THAT HE HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY OVERRIDING THE FORCES ON THE CONTROLS.  THE PILOT, WHO IS ALSO A CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, STATED THAT HE WAS FLYING THE AIRPLANE FROM THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT.  FAA INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE AND FOUND THE RIGHT SEAT RUDDER PEDAL COLLAPSED TO THE FLOOR.  THE FAA INSPECTOR PULLED THE STOWABLE RUDDER PEDAL INTO THE FLIGHT POSITION, AND IT LOCKED IN PLACE.  WHEN THE FAA INSPECTOR APPLIED HAND PRESSURE TO BOTH PEDALS, THE RIGHT PEDAL SNAPPED INTO THE RETRACT POSITION.  HE ATTEMPTED THIS SEVERAL TIMES.  THE FAA INSPECTOR DISASSEMBLED THE PEDAL AND FOUND THAT THE PIN RECEIVING HOLE WAS WORN OBLONG, ALLOWING THE PIN TO DISENGAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93054](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93054-1992-02-06), registration cancelled 1992-02-06, S/N 21060246 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210L
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60246
- Airframe hours: 1500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TS10-520 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vincent Vandenbosch
- Registered owner: John L. Habberstad
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 10, 1991, 36 hours before
- Destination: SBP, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 16, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,700 total, 56 in this make and model, 1,610 as pilot in command, 213 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19911101048839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911101048839A), Nov 1, 1991: Cessna T210L, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. On lift off aircraft made tight left turn. Impacted between runways. Autopilot on. CFI unfamiliar with disconnect.

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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