Taylorcraft Aviation F19 accident near Montgomery, Alabama, June 20, 2008
On June 20, 2008 at about 3:10 pm local time, a Taylorcraft Aviation F19, registered N3681T, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Montgomery, Alabama (Montgomery Regional Airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper loading of personal belongings which resulted in rudder pedal interference.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 20, 2008 · about 3:10 pm local time
- Place
- Montgomery, Alabama · Montgomery Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Taylorcraft Aviation F19
- Registration
- N3681T · no longer on the register · serial F-088
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated all flight controls were free and working properly before and during the flight, until the turn from base to final over the western end of runway 10 at the Montgomery Regional Airport. He had a pair of shoes on the right floorboard tucked in against the seat when he departed his departure airport. During the flight the shoes got looped around the left rudder pedal on the right side of the cockpit and jammed the left rudder peddle, preventing any movement. During the turn from base to final the airplane entered a left "skid" and he attempted to correct with right aileron. The airplane's speed had decreased to 70 mph. The pilot applied harder aileron to the right which resulted in a slip and rapid lose of altitude. He said the airplane was now heading for buildings on the north side of runway 10. He aimed that airplane at a chain link fence and struck it between the fence posts. The pilot opened the cabin door and walked away from the airplane with minor scratches.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Task environment › Physical workspace › Access to equipment/controls › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Loading › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Rudder control system › Inoperative
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all; 125 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 6,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 826 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 1, 2005; 24 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 7A6 Stevenson AL at 12:30 pm
- Destination: MGM Mongomery AL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 010, 9,010 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from MGM, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.