N715AK

Substantial
None

ARNOLD ZODIAC CH 650S/N: 65-8391

Accident Details

Date
Friday, February 27, 2015
NTSB Number
CEN15CA159
Location
Greeley, CO
Event ID
20150303X93218
Coordinates
40.437500, -104.633331
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot was unable to maintain directional control during the landing due to the foreign object that lodged behind the rudder.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N715AK
Make
ARNOLD
Serial Number
65-8391
Year Built
2012
Model / ICAO
ZODIAC CH 650

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
6347 SUNDOWN DR
Status
Deregistered
City
NINE MILE FALLS
State / Zip Code
WA 99026-9560
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot had recently purchased the experimental amateur-built airplane. He was flying with a flight instructor to gain flight experience in the airplane. The pilot reported that he had made a normal left hand pattern and approach to the runway. During the flare, he attempted to maneuver the airplane to the right using aileron and right rudder inputs. The pilot said that the rudder would not move and he focused on the rudder problem. The airplane rolled out on the runway in a "sideways motion," the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest nose down on the runway. After exiting the airplane, the pilot and instructor observed an auxiliary electrical plug had lodged behind the right rudder pedal and had jammed it. The pilot indicated that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions. The flight instructor's safety recommendation, in part, stated, "This could have been prevented by stowing all movable items before and during flight to keep them away from the flight controls."

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN15CA159