Couvillion S-17 N433GC

Summary

On 1 July 2011 at about 22:30 local time, a Couvillion S-17 registered N433GC, operated by Joseph Deaton, was involved in an accident near Toledo, Ohio, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 July 2011 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Toledo, Ohio, United States

Nearest airport

Toledo Executive Airport (TDZ)

Coordinates

41.5647, -83.4822

Aircraft

Couvillion S-17

Registration

N433GC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Joseph Deaton

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Toledo → Toledo

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN11LA455

Nobody was injured.

The loss of control during initial climb for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a hard landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he found no discrepancies during the preflight inspection and that the engine run-up and before-takeoff checks were normal. Immediately after takeoff, the airplane entered an uncommanded right turn. The pilot was unable to keep the airplane from turning to the right as it climbed to about 200 to 300 feet above the ground. He pulled the throttle to idle and landed the airplane in a field. The touchdown was hard, and the airplane impacted a rock pile during the landing roll. Postaccident examination revealed that the right rudder pedal was sheared off and that the right rudder cable had slack in it and was twisted around the right rudder horn attachment fitting. If this twist had existing during the flight, it could have caused the uncommanded right turn; however, it is likely that the cable twisted around the rudder horn during the impact when the right rudder pedal separated and allowed the cable to go slack. Additionally, when the cable was straightened, it was noted to be the proper length, and rudder cable continuity was confirmed. Flight control cable continuity was also confirmed from the flight controls to the ailerons and the elevator. No mechanical discrepancy was noted that would have resulted in the uncontrolled right turn.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.