Piper PA-18-150 N7153Z

Summary

On 28 September 1997 at about 17:00 local time, a Piper PA-18-150 registered N7153Z, operated by Frank E. Brown, was involved in an accident near Dixie, Idaho, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 September 1997 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Dixie, Idaho, United States

Nearest airport

Yellow Pine Bar Ranch

Coordinates

45.8006, -115.5109

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-150

Registration

N7153Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Frank E. Brown

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA97LA218

1 person was seriously injured.

Shifting of a briefcase stored behind the pilot's seat to a position where it obstructed movement of the rudder pedals, resulting in loss of directional control capability. A factor was trees adjacent to the airstrip.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that on takeoff, the rudder jammed in the full right position and he was unable to free it. The pilot attempted to pull up to clear trees adjacent to and right of the airstrip, but was unable to clear them. The airplane crashed into the trees. No problems were found with the rudder control in post-accident examination. The pilot stated he believed a canvas briefcase behind the pilot's seat may have moved (or been moved) to one side or the other, possibly creating an obstruction to the rear rudder pedals.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.