On February 4, 1992, a DE Havilland DHC-3 (registration N13GA) operated by Taquan Air Service, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Metlakatla, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The rivets attaching the trim tab control horn to the right elevator trim tab had pulled out, allowing the trim tab and elevator to flutter. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During final approach, the pilot reported control yoke vibration and nose pitch-down, corrected by re-trimming. Post-accident inspection revealed that rivets attaching the right elevator trim tab control horn had pulled out, allowing flutter.
Incident Details
While on final approach for landing, the pilot reported that the airplane's control yoke started vibrating and the nose of the airplane pitched down. The pilot corrected by re-trimming the airplane and landed without further incident.
Inspection Findings
Post-accident inspection revealed that the rivets attaching the trim tab control horn to the right elevator trim tab had pulled out, allowing the trim tab and elevator to flutter. No other issues were noted during the inspection.
Probable Cause
The rivets attaching the trim tab control horn to the right elevator trim tab had pulled out, allowing the trim tab and elevator to flutter.