Aileron Control Failure During Repositioning Flight

Casualties unknown • Grand Rapids, MN, US

A flight crew experienced significant loss of aileron control while maneuvering to land during a repositioning flight, leading to the discovery of a broken control cable.

What happened

While operating on a repositioning flight, the flight crew encountered a restriction in aileron control during maneuvers for landing. As the aircraft approached the runway, the crew experienced limited aileron control deflection to the left and a complete loss of aileron control to the right.

Despite these control difficulties, the airplane landed successfully with no injuries reported.

The investigation

Following the incident, an examination of the aircraft's aileron cable revealed that the component was broken. An independent metallurgical analysis of the broken cable determined that the failure was caused by the cable coming off its pulley and subsequently wearing against a small diameter steel pin.

Probable cause

The aileron control cable failed after it displaced from its pulley and underwent wear against a small diameter steel pin.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-08-30 Fairchild SA-227-AC accident near Grand Rapids, MN?

A flight crew experienced significant loss of aileron control while maneuvering to land during a repositioning flight, leading to the discovery of a broken control cable.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-08-30 involved a Fairchild SA-227-AC, registration N446MA, operated by Mesaba Aviation, Inc., at Grand Rapids, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aileron control cable failed after it displaced from its pulley and underwent wear against a small diameter steel pin.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X13087. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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