Thrush S2R-H80 N6215P

Summary

On 31 May 2018 at about 16:15 local time, a Thrush S2R-H80 registered N6215P, operated by Air Aids Inc, was involved in an accident near Parkin, Arkansas, 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

31 May 2018 at 16:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Parkin, Arkansas, United States

Nearest airport

Private (PVT)

Coordinates

35.2433, -90.5706

Aircraft

Thrush S2R-H80

Registration

N6215P

Category

Airplane

Year built

2016

Operator

Air Aids Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Parkin → Parkin

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN18LA211

Nobody was injured.

The improper operation of the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism for an undetermined period of time, which led to the failure of the rudder pedal adjustment track, the detachment of the rudder pedal, and the pilot’s subsequent inability to maintain directional control. 

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll for the agricultural application flight, the right rudder pedal went full forward against the material hopper and that he subsequently could not maintain directional control of the airplane. The airplane subsequently exited the left side of the runway and struck a ditch. Examination of the airplane revealed that the right rudder pedal had become detached from the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism due to wear on the adjustment track. The Before Starting Engine checklist  included a step to adjust and lock the rudder pedals before starting the engine; however, the condition of the rudder system indicated that the airplane had been operated with the rudder pedal forward of the final detent position and against the safety stop rather than in a locked detent position for an undetermined amount of time. The improper adjustment and locking of the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism over time likely led to the excessive wear on the rudder pedal adjustment track, the detachment of the rudder pedal, and the pilot’s subsequent inability to maintain directional control. After the accident, the airplane manufacturer released a service letter detailing the proper use, rigging, and maintenance of the rudder system, including the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.