On July 28, 1996, a Piper PA-28-151 (registration N44059) was involved in an aviation accident near New Melle, MO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The shorted wiring between the electric trim switch and the trim motor, which resulted in motor activation. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After takeoff, elevator trim moved to nose-up. Pilot struggled with yoke pressure, conducted off-airport landing. Aircraft hit fence posts, wings separated. Postaccident inspection found shorted wiring between trim switch and motor.
Incident Overview
Shortly after takeoff, the elevator trim of the affected airplane traveled to the nose-up position. The pilot reported that maintaining a nose-level attitude required 15 to 20 pounds of continuous pressure on the control yoke, with the yoke held approximately 2 inches from its forward stop. Unable to resolve the trim condition, the pilot elected to perform an off-airport landing.
Landing and Damage
During the landing, the airplane contacted fence posts. The impact caused both wings to separate from the fuselage.
Postaccident Findings
A postaccident inspection revealed that the wiring between the electric trim switch and the trim motor had shorted. This short circuit resulted in unintended activation of the trim motor. The pilot stated that the trim switch had been broken for "years" but that he had never disconnected the wiring between the switch and the motor.
Probable cause
The shorted wiring between the electric trim switch and the trim motor, which resulted in motor activation.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 28 Jul 1996 Piper PA-28-151 accident near New Melle, MO?
After takeoff, elevator trim moved to nose-up. Pilot struggled with yoke pressure, conducted off-airport landing. Aircraft hit fence posts, wings separated. Postaccident inspection found shorted wiring between trim switch and motor.
Were there any fatalities in the 28 Jul 1996 Piper PA-28-151 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 28 Jul 1996 involved a Piper PA-28-151, registration N44059, at New Melle, MO.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The shorted wiring between the electric trim switch and the trim motor, which resulted in motor activation.
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…