Piper PA-22-135 N2677A

Summary

On 31 January 2012 at about 17:42 local time, a Piper PA-22-135 registered N2677A was involved in an accident near Sheridan, Arkansas, 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

31 January 2012 at 17:42

Classification

Accident

Location

Sheridan, Arkansas, United States

Nearest airport

Sheridan Municipal Airport (9M8)

Coordinates

34.3239, -92.3500

Aircraft

Piper PA-22-135

Registration

N2677A

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sheridan → Sheridan

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA146

1 person was seriously injured.

The passenger’s interference with the flight controls during the initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the takeoff was normal until the airplane was climbing through about 200 feet above the ground, at which time he observed that the passenger suddenly tensed up. The pilot said he was then unable to move the rudder pedals because the passenger was stepping on the passenger-side rudder controls. The airplane skewed to the left, descended, and impacted terrain on the left side of the runway. A postaccident examination confirmed flight control continuity and revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The passenger reported this was his first flight ever in any aircraft. He also reported that he was not pressing on the rudder pedals. However, given the pilot’s experience in the accident airplane and the lack of evidence of a preimpact anomaly, it is likely that the passenger did inadvertently interfere with the rudder pedals.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.