RV-4
Flight Crew Private
Distraction; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway; Ground Excursion Taxiway
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Equipment / Tooling
Upon touchdown; I pushed right rudder to keep the plane straight and it veered left of the centerline; attempted to add left brake input with toe brakes but could not stop travel to the left. I considered going around but decided not to do so without rudder authority. Aircraft continued off the left side of the runway and crossed adjacent taxiway and ground looped next to hangars to left of the runway approximately 1250 feet from the runway threshold. No other aircraft or property were damaged. The right landing gear punched through the engine mount and the landing gear twisted; damaging the wheel pants and fairings. Both wheel pants appeared damaged from travel over dirt between taxiway and runway. Upon exiting the aircraft; I observed the right rudder pedal was not connected to the right rudder cable. The cotter pin holding the clevis pin which connects the rudder pedal to the cable; along with the clevis pin and washers were on the floor of the rudder well. Prior to Runup checks preflight I confirmed all controls performed nominally with Free Clear and Correct motions. Rudder pedal connections were not normally part of my preflight inspection however I will certainly do so in the future.
General Aviation Pilot reported a loss of directional control upon landing; exited side of runway and adjacent taxiway coming to a stop after completing a ground loop resulting with aircraft landing gear assembly damage.