CHENEYVILLE, LA, USA
N4226V
PEZETEL PZL-M-18
THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRFT SEEMED EXTREMELY TAIL-HEAVY AND THAT HE USED 'BOTH FEET AND ONE ARM' TO HOLD FORWARD STICK. HE SAID THE AIRCRAFT WAS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE IN PITCH AND DISPLAYED A RIGHT TURNING TENDENDCY. THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT, ATTEMPTING TO LAND DOWNWIND ON THE TAKEOFF RUNWAY. HE REDUCED POWER AT 100 FEET AGL AND THE RIGHT WING HIT THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD RUDDER FAILURE PROBLEMS IN FLIGHT BUT WERE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE UPPER 1/3 OF THE RUDDER WAS BENT 45 DEGREES TO THE LEFT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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