A decathlon left rear rudder pedal bushing became loose during flight impeding rudder pedal movement...

Attributes
ACN	1082344
Time
Date	201304
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Decathlon 8KCAB
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Landing
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	VFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Rudder Control System
Person 1
Function	Instructor Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100 Flight Crew Total 5715 Flight Crew Type 2850
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

Narrative:

Weather 10C; clear; wind 030 at 7 KTS. Student was landing on runway 08. Upon touchdown the airplane veered significantly to the left. Student attempted to straighten the ground roll using rudders. Student then stated she could not move the rudder. Instructor immediately initiated a go-around. Once airborne and stable; instructor verified rudder pedal was 'stuck.' upon visual inspection; instructor noticed that the bushing holding the left rear rudder pedal had come loose when the cotter pin had come off and bushing had become lodged into the side wall of the airplane. Instructor managed to reposition the bushing and landed without incident. Mechanic replaced the cotter pin and verified aircraft was airworthy. Although this flight ended without incident; it could have been catastrophic had either a less experienced PIC and/or a more aggressive maneuver (spin) been in operation. My suggestion is to 'wiggle' the rudder pedals prior to spin entry and landings to ensure the rudder pedal is not stuck. A visual inspection would not hurt either.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Decathlon left rear rudder pedal bushing became loose during flight impeding rudder pedal movement. The Instructor in the aft seat was able to reposition the bushing prior to landing.

Narrative: Weather 10C; clear; wind 030 at 7 KTS. Student was landing on Runway 08. Upon touchdown the airplane veered significantly to the left. Student attempted to straighten the ground roll using rudders. Student then stated she could not move the rudder. Instructor immediately initiated a go-around. Once airborne and stable; instructor verified rudder pedal was 'stuck.' Upon visual inspection; instructor noticed that the bushing holding the left rear rudder pedal had come loose when the cotter pin had come off and bushing had become lodged into the side wall of the airplane. Instructor managed to reposition the bushing and landed without incident. Mechanic replaced the cotter pin and verified aircraft was airworthy. Although this flight ended without incident; it could have been catastrophic had either a less experienced PIC and/or a more aggressive maneuver (spin) been in operation. My suggestion is to 'wiggle' the rudder pedals prior to spin entry and landings to ensure the rudder pedal is not stuck. A visual inspection would not hurt either.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

A decathlon left rear rudder pedal bushing became loose during flight impeding rudder pedal movement. The instructor in the aft seat was able to reposition the bushing prior to landing.