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Maule pilot reports inadvertently pressing the copilot's left rudder pedal while stretching with the autopilot engaged at 11;000 feet. The autopilot disengages and the aircraft yaws left. Thinking his right foot is on his right rudder pedal; more pressure is applied exacerbating the problem and causing heading and altitude deviations. The error is quickly discovered and corrected.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1281961 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201507 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | CDI.Airport |
| State Reference | OH |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | M-7 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Rudder Control System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 52 Flight Crew Total 6000 Flight Crew Type 1300 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Track / Heading All Types Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control |
Narrative:
I was flying eastbound to maryland returning from oshkosh at 11;000 ft on an IFR flight plan. My autopilot disconnected and revealed an out-of-trim condition which caused the aircraft to yaw to the left. I had stretched my right leg to the right of the cockpit for comfort. When the aircraft yawed; I instinctively pressed my right foot on the rudder pedal. This caused the aircraft to yaw even more to the left; requiring full right aileron to keep from rolling inverted. I turned the autopilot off and released the rudder trim with no effect. I also reduced power and lowered the nose to get better control; advising ATC that I was turning and descending with a flight control problem. ATC advised me that cambridge airport was ahead about ten miles (I had turned about 120 degrees to the left; so I was heading northwest instead of east.) as I continued to trouble shoot; I noted that my right foot was pressing on the copilot left rudder pedal instead of the pilot right rudder pedal. As soon as I got my foot on the correct rudder pedal; I was able to control the aircraft and advised ATC. I continued the flight to maryland.I suppose I should conclude that I should always keep my feet on my rudder pedals; but the fact that one needs to stretch a bit on a long flight is going to win in the end. I am just glad that I was able to keep flying the aircraft until I found what was the problem (i.e.; me!!)
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Maule pilot reports inadvertently pressing the copilot's left rudder pedal while stretching with the autopilot engaged at 11;000 feet. The autopilot disengages and the aircraft yaws left. Thinking his right foot is on his right rudder pedal; more pressure is applied exacerbating the problem and causing heading and altitude deviations. The error is quickly discovered and corrected.
Narrative: I was flying eastbound to Maryland returning from Oshkosh at 11;000 ft on an IFR flight plan. My autopilot disconnected and revealed an out-of-trim condition which caused the aircraft to yaw to the left. I had stretched my right leg to the right of the cockpit for comfort. When the aircraft yawed; I instinctively pressed my right foot on the rudder pedal. This caused the aircraft to yaw even more to the left; requiring full right aileron to keep from rolling inverted. I turned the autopilot off and released the rudder trim with no effect. I also reduced power and lowered the nose to get better control; advising ATC that I was turning and descending with a flight control problem. ATC advised me that Cambridge Airport was ahead about ten miles (I had turned about 120 degrees to the left; so I was heading NW instead of east.) As I continued to trouble shoot; I noted that my right foot was pressing on the copilot Left rudder pedal instead of the pilot right rudder pedal. As soon as I got my foot on the correct rudder pedal; I was able to control the aircraft and advised ATC. I continued the flight to Maryland.I suppose I should conclude that I should always keep my feet on my rudder pedals; but the fact that one needs to stretch a bit on a long flight is going to win in the end. I am just glad that I was able to keep flying the aircraft until I found what was the problem (i.e.; Me!!)
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.