# NTSB MIA08CA126: Taylorcraft F19, N3681T, Montgomery, AL, June 20, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 20, 2008, 10:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Montgomery, AL - Coordinates: 32.300277, -86.389724 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3003&lon=-86.3897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68287 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68287/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA126 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper loading of personal belongings which resulted in rudder pedal interference. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Physical workspace: access to equipment/controls](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041015): Environmental issues › Task environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Taylorcraft F19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041015/cases.md?model=8850904), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041015/cases.md) - [Loading](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft F19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md?model=8850904), [All aircraft, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inoperative; cases with it: [Taylorcraft F19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=8850904), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Taylorcraft F19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=8850904), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft F19, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8850904), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Taylorcraft F19, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8850904), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated all flight controls were free and working properly before and during the flight, until the turn from base to final over the western end of runway 10 at the Montgomery Regional Airport. He had a pair of shoes on the right floorboard tucked in against the seat when he departed his departure airport. During the flight the shoes got looped around the left rudder pedal on the right side of the cockpit and jammed the left rudder peddle, preventing any movement. During the turn from base to final the airplane entered a left "skid" and he attempted to correct with right aileron. The airplane's speed had decreased to 70 mph. The pilot applied harder aileron to the right which resulted in a slip and rapid lose of altitude. He said the airplane was now heading for buildings on the north side of runway 10. He aimed that airplane at a chain link fence and struck it between the fence posts. The pilot opened the cabin door and walked away from the airplane with minor scratches. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated all flight controls were free and working properly before and during the flight, until the turn from base to final over the western end of runway 10 at the Montgomery Regional Airport. He had a pair of shoes on the right floorboard tucked in against the seat when he departed his departure airport. During the flight the shoes got looped around the left rudder pedal on the right side of the cockpit and jammed the left rudder peddle, preventing any movement. During the turn from base to final the airplane entered a left "skid" and he attempted to correct with right aileron. The airplane's speed had decreased to 70 mph. The pilot applied harder aileron to the right which resulted in a slip and rapid lose of altitude. He said the airplane was now heading for buildings on the north side of runway 10. He aimed that airplane at a chain link fence and struck it between the fence posts. The pilot opened the cabin door and walked away from the airplane with minor scratches. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3681T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3681T-2018-01-03), registration cancelled 2018-01-03, S/N F-088, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft Aviation F19 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft F19](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-f19) (registry code 8850904) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: F-088 - Airframe hours: 826 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: James W. Freeman - Registered owner: Freeman Aircraft LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2005, 24 hours before - Departed: 7A6, Stevenson, AL - Destination: MGM, Mongomery, AL - Airport: MGM, Montgomery Regional Airport, runway 010, 9,010 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 125 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: MGM, 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 20080620840669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080620840669A), Jun 20, 2008: Tcraft F19, Montgomery, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) On short final into Montgomery, AL regional airport (mgm) runway 10 Taylorcraft N3681T veered left due to a pair of shoes jamming the co-pilots left… 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.