1995-07-14: DE Havilland DHC-3 — Ketchikan, AK

Casualties unknown • Ketchikan, AK, US

Probable cause

THE CRACKS IN THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE ELEVATOR SERVO TAB, WHICH RESULTED IN ITS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE AND PARTIAL SEPARATION.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED A CLIMBOUT AND WAS ADJUSTING THE TRIM FOR LEVEL FLIGHT, WHEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN VIBRATING. HE LANDED IMMEDIATELY. EXAMINATION SHOWED THAT A PORTION OF THE ELEVATOR SERVO TAB HAD SEPARATED. EXAMINATION OF THE REMAINING SECTION OF THE SERVO TAB SHOWED THAT THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE TRAILING EDGE. THE DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE REPORTED THAT WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS PARKED, THE TAIL WAS ABOUT 10 TO 11 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO INSPECT DURING PREFLIGHT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1995-07-14 DE Havilland DHC-3 accident near Ketchikan, AK?

THE PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED A CLIMBOUT AND WAS ADJUSTING THE TRIM FOR LEVEL FLIGHT, WHEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN VIBRATING. HE LANDED IMMEDIATELY. EXAMINATION SHOWED THAT A PORTION OF THE ELEVATOR SERVO TAB HAD SEPARATED. EXAMINATION OF THE REMAINING SECTION OF THE SERVO TAB SHOWED THAT THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE TRAILING…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1995-07-14 involved a DE Havilland DHC-3, registration N472PM, at Ketchikan, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE CRACKS IN THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE ELEVATOR SERVO TAB, WHICH RESULTED IN ITS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE AND PARTIAL SEPARATION.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X03836. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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