On January 18, 1992, a Beech 35 (registration N3342V) operated by Richards, James D. was involved in an aviation accident near Nucla, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: IMPROPER STATIC BALANCE OF THE RUDDERVATORS FOLLOWING REBUILDING/REPAINTING, WHICH RESULTED IN EMPENNAGE FLUTTER. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a cruise-descent in smooth air, flutter of the empennage caused cracks and skin wrinkling on the aft fuselage. Post-accident testing revealed excessive tail-heaviness in both ruddervators due to paint thickness and missing balancing washers.
Event Description
During a cruise-descent in smooth air, the empennage of the aircraft experienced flutter. This occurrence resulted in cracks at all four corners of the aft fuselage bulkhead and wrinkling of the fuselage skin in the area of the ruddervator attachment points.
Maintenance History
The left ruddervator had been installed on the airplane during an annual inspection several weeks before the accident. It had been removed for the installation of new skin. After the new skin was installed, the surface was repainted. Post-accident examination found that the paint thickness on this ruddervator exceeded the manufacturer's factory acceptance criteria.
Post-Accident Findings
Post-accident testing disclosed that the static balance of both ruddervators was excessively tail heavy. No lead balancing washers were found in either ruddervator counterweight housing.
What happened in the 18 Jan 1992 Beech 35 accident near Nucla, CO?
During a cruise-descent in smooth air, flutter of the empennage caused cracks and skin wrinkling on the aft fuselage. Post-accident testing revealed excessive tail-heaviness in both ruddervators due to paint thickness and missing balancing washers.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 18 Jan 1992 involved a Beech 35, registration N3342V, operated by Richards, James D., at Nucla, CO.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
IMPROPER STATIC BALANCE OF THE RUDDERVATORS FOLLOWING REBUILDING/REPAINTING, WHICH RESULTED IN EMPENNAGE FLUTTER.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…