# NTSB WPR09CA094: Jones Rodney V Wittman TA, N90086, Yucca Valley, CA, January 16, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 16, 2009, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Yucca Valley, CA - Coordinates: 34.149715, -116.409156 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1497&lon=-116.4092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73256 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73256/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA094 ## Probable cause A loss of directional control due to a weld joint failure of the left rudder pedal. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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: [Jones Rodney V WITTMAN TAILWIND, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05610L0), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Jones Rodney V WITTMAN TAILWIND, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=05610L0), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Jones Rodney V WITTMAN TAILWIND, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=05610L0), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Jones Rodney V WITTMAN TAILWIND, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05610L0), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Jones Rodney V WITTMAN TAILWIND, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05610L0), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll on the asphalt runway, the left rudder pedal separated and he was unable to maintain directional control. Subsequently, the airplane ground-looped and exited the right side of the runway. The fuselage and left wing were structurally damaged. The left rudder pedal was separated at its weld point. No further anomalies were noted with the flight control systems. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing roll on the asphalt runway, the left rudder pedal separated and he was unable to maintain directional control. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped and exited the right side of the runway. The fuselage and left wing were structurally damaged. The left rudder pedal was separated at its weld point. No further anomalies were noted with the flight control systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N90086](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90086-2009-11-19), registration cancelled 2009-11-19, S/N 001, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JONES RODNEY V WITTMAN TA - Registry model: [Jones Rodney V WITTMAN TAILWIND](https://openairdocs.org/model/jones-rodney-v-wittman-tailwind) (registry code 05610L0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-E2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-e2a) (registry code 42120, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Williams Jerry M - Registered owner: Williams Jerry M - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: HJO, Hanford, CA - Destination: L22, Yucca Valley, CA - Airport: L22, Yucca Valley Airport, runway 24, 4,363 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 17, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 299 total, 159 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: NXP, 15 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 20090116000339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090116000339A), Jan 16, 2009: Jones TAILWIND, Yucca Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that upon application of the brakes (toe) the left rudder pedal broke at the base at approximately 50 mph. Aircraft ground loop at midfield runway… 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.