NYC96LA159

A takeoff was initiated by a private pilot, with a commercial pilot in the right seat, who was teaching the private pilot how to fly a tailwheel equipped airplane. The commercial pilot did not possess a flight instructor rating. The airplane veered left, and after it stopped, one of the tailwheel centering springs was found disconnected. The spring was reconnected. The pilots then swapped seats, taxied back, and attempted to takeoff again. While of the second takeoff roll, the airplane veered left again, went off the runway, and hit a fence. During a postaccident examination of the airplane, the attach point for the right rudder cable was found to be bent forward, which slackened the cable. Neither pilot was current to carry a passenger in a tailwheel equipped airplane. The commercial pilot did not have a current FAA medical certificate or biennial flight review.

On July 26, 1996, about 1800 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 11AC, N9232E, was substantially damaged during takeoff at the Alexandria Airport, Alexandria, New Jersey. The commercial pilot and private pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated:

"I was teaching a new owner (1/4) to taxi. He had no experience in aircraft. He was a fully rated private pilot (current in all aspects) and was P.I.C. This was a taxi lesson as he had no time in the plane. His first taxi went left. He forgot he had brakes. I pulled hard right and hit right rudder. Took control - made a right (in retrospect) aileron turn. Back to tie down. Noticed water in field and high speed taxi through it. Found spring (rudder off) reattached it. Took over left seat to teach proper brake usage and tail lift. When I lifted the tail it went hard left, through an illegal fence (10 yards from runway)...Found rudder horn bent 90 degrees, rudder control impossible. No intent was made to fly...."

The airplane was examined by an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector who reported:

"...the right rudder pedal did not work and was found in the forward position. This was due to the cable connection point being bent 90 degree which slackened the cable. The crack at the connection point looked bright and new."

According to an interview conducted by the FAA with the commercial pilot on July 29, 1996:

"...During the interview ...[the commercial pilot]...confirmed that he was the Pilot-In-Command...."

Additionally, during the interview, it was disclosed that the pilot did not meet recent experience for carrying passengers, no current medical, and no current flight review.

According to the Airport/Facility Directory, runway 26 was 2550 feet long, 50 feet wide, and had an asphalt surface.